Characterizing hospitalists’ comfort and familiarity with LGBTQ clinical topics

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives Evidence has shown that lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer (LGBQ) and transgender patients (LGBTQ) experience disparities in health care delivery and clinical outcomes. As the predominant U.S. inpatient provider workforce, this paper’s objective was to understand hospitalists’ comfort with LGBTQ health. Methods A 58-question anonymous online survey was distributed in 2019 to practicing hospitalists through the Society of Hospital Medicine regarding their experiences in caring for hospitalized LGBTQ patients. Results Two hundred and eighteen hospitalist providers completed the entire survey. While hospitalists reported high levels of comfort in caring for these populations (LGBQ: 90.6%, Transgender: 77.8%), they acknowledged feeling less confident in their clinical competence (LGBQ: 71.6%, Transgender: 51.2%). Hospitalist providers who were themselves LGBQ reported more comfort with most aspects of LGBQ patient clinical care than heterosexual respondents (p < 0.05 for 4 of 6 comfort variables). Seventy-four percent of hospitalists wanted training to advance their knowledge and skills in working with LGBTQ patients. Conclusions Hospitalist clinicians are regularly exposed to LGBTQ patients yet their comfort and expertise in caring for this vulnerable population is highly variable. Educational interventions that include reflective practice may serve to optimize hospitalists’ ability to more confidently and competently serve LGBTQ patients.