LGBTQ+ Healthcare Teaching in UK Medical Schools: An Investigation into Medical Students’ Understanding and Preparedness for Practice
| Autor: | Alice Barber, Alexander Flach, Jack Bonnington, Emily M Pattinson |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2023 |
| Předmět: | |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development, Vol 10 (2023) |
| Druh dokumentu: | article |
| ISSN: | 2382-1205 23821205 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/23821205231164893 |
| Popis: | OBJECTIVES Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans* and queer/questioning + (LGBTQ+) healthcare teaching within UK medical schools is currently lacking, potentially impacting on patients’ confidence in health services and ability to access care. The current study conducted a multi-site analysis aiming to investigate medical students' perceptions towards the teaching of LGBTQ+ healthcare in UK medical schools, as well as to gain a greater understanding of medical students’ level of knowledge of LGBTQ+ healthcare, and preparedness for working with LGBTQ+ patients. METHODS Medical students (N = 296) from 28 UK institutions responded to a 15-question online survey distributed via course leads and social media. Thematic analysis of qualitative data was conducted, as well as statistical analysis of quantitative data using SPSS. RESULTS Only 40.9% of students reported having any teaching on LGBTQ+ healthcare, 96.6% of whom said this was one-off or very irregular sessions. Only 1 in 8 felt their knowledge and skills on LGBTQ+ healthcare was sufficient. 97.2% of students questioned wanted more knowledge on LGBTQ+ healthcare. CONCLUSION The current study highlighted that UK medical students felt underprepared for working with LGBTQ+ patients due to insufficient education. Given that teaching on LGBTQ+ healthcare is often optional and extra-curricular, it may not be reaching those who need it most. The authors are calling for the mandatory inclusion of LGBTQ+ healthcare in the teaching of all UK medical schools, within their individual curriculum frameworks, and with regulatory support from the General Medical Council. This will ensure a wider understanding among medical students, and subsequently qualified doctors, of the health inequities and unique health issues LGBTQ+ people face, which will better equip them to provide high-quality care to LGBTQ+ patients, and start to tackle the inequities they face. |
| Databáze: | Directory of Open Access Journals |
| Externí odkaz: |
|