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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
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Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Access to Care in the LGBTQIA+ Population
Charis Ripley-Hager1, Andrew T Schlussel2
1Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
The American Surgeon
|March 27, 2025
Summary
Access to surgical care for sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals is limited by bias and provider knowledge gaps. Improving SGM health requires education, policy changes, and affirming care practices for equitable outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Health equity
- Surgical care access
- LGBTQIA+ health disparities
Background:
- Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals face barriers to surgical care.
- These barriers include education gaps, systemic biases, and stigmatization.
- SGM populations have higher risks for conditions like cancer, mental health disorders, and STIs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify challenges in surgical care access for the LGBTQIA+ community.
- To propose solutions for improving health outcomes for SGM patients.
- To emphasize the need for inclusive and patient-centered surgical health care.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on SGM health disparities in surgical settings.
- Analysis of barriers including provider knowledge and patient fear of prejudice.
- Identification of effective interventions and policy recommendations.
Main Results:
- Limited access is driven by provider knowledge gaps and societal stigma.
- SGM individuals experience unique health risks requiring tailored approaches.
- Affirming care, education, and policy reform are crucial for equitable access.
Conclusions:
- Addressing systemic biases and enhancing provider education are essential.
- Implementing tailored health strategies like STI screenings and HPV vaccination improves SGM health.
- Expanding access to inclusive providers and supportive policies ensures equitable surgical care for SGM patients.
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