Attitudes of Physical Therapy Students in Israel toward People Identifying as Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the attitudes of physical therapy (PT) students in Israel toward people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) and to identify the characteristics associated with the said attitudes. This multiinstitutional study is used as an observational design. Participants were 245 PT students (average age, 25.59 ± 3.10 years), who completed anonymous online questionnaires that included demographic characteristics; the Hebrew version of the Attitudes Toward Homosexuality Scale (ATHS); questions on learning about LGB, trans, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQIA+); healthcare issues in the entry-level PT; and previous clinical encounters with patients who identified as LGBTQIA+. The median ATHS score was 107 out of 110 (range, 48–110; higher score indicating more positive attitudes), and multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that identifying as a woman and secular were predictors of positive attitudes toward LGB individuals. All students reported that they had no course on the LGBTQIA+ community in their undergraduate PT studies’ curriculum. Most (80.88%) of those who had a clinical practice reported that they had not had a clinical encounter with a patient identifying as LGBTQIA+. PT students in Israel demonstrated positive attitudes toward LGB individuals, as reflected by their ATHS scores. PT students who identify as men and religious are more likely to hold negative attitudes toward LGB individuals. There is a need to expand the curricula on LGBTQIA+ healthcare and increase students' experiences with LGBTQIA+ patients to increase cultural competence.