Addressing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Health in Physical Therapy Education

Abstract

Introduction. The objectives were to determine doctor of physical therapy (DPT) student comfort level, attitudes, and preparedness to address lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) health in the United States. Methods. The research design was a cross-sectional nonexperimental national survey of DPT students in the United States The survey was administered online using SurveyGizmo. Participants included 1,015 DPT students. Results. Most respondents (91.7%, n = 931) reported that they felt comfortable treating patients who identify as lesbian, gay, and bisexual and 75.7% (n = 768) indicated that they felt comfortable treating patients who identify as transgender. An overwhelming majority (96.7%, n = 982) agreed that it was the responsibility of all health care providers to care for patients who identify as LGBTQ+. Conversely, only 20.6% (n = 209) agreed that their entry-level DPT programs had prepared them to care for patients who identify as LGBTQ+. About two-thirds of the respondents (66.0%, n = 670) indicated that they were interested in receiving further education about LGBTQ+ health. Ordinal logistic regression analysis indicated that some demographical factors, including age, gender, number of years in a physical therapy program, and respondent's sexual orientation, had impacts on some of the responses with statistical significance. Discussion. Doctor of physical therapy students reported high comfort level and positive attitudes toward patients who identify as LGBTQ+ but feel underprepared by their entry-level DPT programs to treat this population and demonstrate an interest in more training. Conclusion. Improvements in education on LGBTQ+ health are needed in entry-level DPT programs to provide high-quality graduates as workforce in the health care system.