Are Patients Ready for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Family Physicians - A Croatian Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Sociology
• Public Health
• Healthcare Disparities

Background:

• Discrimination and harassment against lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) physicians by colleagues is documented.
• Limited research exists on patient attitudes and discrimination towards LGB physicians.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate patient attitudes and discriminatory behaviors towards LGB physicians in urban Croatia.
• To identify factors associated with patients refusing care from LGB physicians.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional internet survey was conducted in urban Croatian regions.
• 1004 participants completed questionnaires on socio-demographics, Attitudes Towards Lesbians and Gay Men Scale (ATLG), and willingness to see LGB physicians.
• Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of refusal.

Main Results:

• 8.8% of participants would refuse a male gay or bisexual (GB) physician, 7.9% a female lesbian or bisexual (LB) physician, and 7.3% both.
• Primary reasons for refusal included "disaccord with political or religious beliefs" and "fear of sexual harassment".
• Higher ATLG scores, older age, and male sex were associated with refusing male GB physicians. Higher age and ATLG scores were linked to refusing female LB physicians. Personal contact with LGB individuals reduced refusal rates.

Conclusions:

• A significant prevalence of patient discrimination against LGB physicians was observed.
• Discrimination appears rooted in emotional responses and stereotypical beliefs rather than clinical concerns.
• Educational interventions targeting misconceptions about LGB individuals are recommended to mitigate this discrimination.