Examining depression care outcomes at community health centers serving larger lesbian, gay, and bisexual patient populations: Do rural vs. urban disparities exist?

Abstract

Introduction: Little is understood about the quality of services at community health centers (CHCs) serving larger lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) patient populations. This study examined process of care outcomes for depression care among CHCs serving larger LGB patient populations, comparing rural and urban CHCs. Methods: Multivariate regression models were estimated on a propensity score matched analytic sample of 518 CHCs spanning 2016-2018. Results: CHCs serving larger LGB patient populations were more likely to have better process of care outcomes for depression care. However, among CHCs serving larger LGB patient populations, rural and urban CHCs provided functionally equivalent outcomes for depression screening and follow-up care. Conclusion: Among CHCs serving comparatively large LGB patient populations, traditional behavioral health care disparities based on patient population rurality may not exist for depression care.