A National Survey to Assess LGBTQ+ Curricular Needs in Pediatrics Residency Programs

Despite incremental increases in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) health education, there are no uniform training requirements in graduate medical education and the extent to which pediatrics residency programs incorporate LGBTQ+ curricula remains unknown. We aimed to assess the current state of LGBTQ+ health education in pediatrics residency programs.

We surveyed all 202 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited categorical pediatrics program directors (PDs) in the United States. PDs were contacted via the Association for Pediatrics Program Directors (APPD) listserv with a link to an anonymous electronic survey.

We had a 53.4% response rate (107/202) with representation from all regions, sizes, and settings. Only 7.5% of programs have robust LGBTQ+ curricula, but many (71%) offer some sessions. About half (54.2%) believe their residents are not at all or somewhat prepared to care for LGBTQ+ patients after training. Many PDs are not at all or somewhat confident their residents learn about gender affirming care (49.5%) or are aware of community resources for LGBTQ+ youth (54.2%). In 91% of programs, 0-25% of faculty educate trainees about LGBTQ+ health. The majority (74.8%) of PDs are very or moderately likely to implement a standardized LGBTQ+ health curriculum. The most prominent barriers were inadequate time (55.1%) and lack of faculty training (51.4%).

Many pediatrics programs have implemented some LGBTQ+ health education; however, PDs lack confidence in residents' abilities to independently care for LGBTQ+ youth after training. An accessible and standardized curriculum is not only needed but desired by programs.