LGBTQ2SIA+ HEALTH CURRICULUM IN CANADIAN OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESIDENCY PROGRAMS

Abstract

Objectives Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ObGyn) in Canada provide care for women from infancy to adulthood, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Currently, we do not knowhow Canadian ObGyn resident physicians receive lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, 2-spirit, intersex, or asexual(LGBTQ2SIA+) health training to achieve competence in LGBTQ2SIA+ care. The objectives of the current study were to determine if and how Canadian ObGyn residents are receiving LGBTQ2SIA+ health training during their residency and program director interest in increasing exposure to resident LGBTQ2SIA+ training, including preferred methods of instruction. Methods An online prospective survey was sent to program directors of all 16 Canadian postgraduate ObGyn programs. Results Completed surveys were received from 7 program directors. Three programs reported formal teaching on sexual minority health and 4 on gender minority health. All 7 programs were interested in increasing the level of resident exposure to sexual minority health and 6 programs were interested in the same for gender minority health. All program directors expressed interest in implementing a formal curriculum or module, if it was developed, on these topics. The most desired methods of instruction, in order of preference, were case-based presentations, e-modules, didactic lectures, and patient advocacy groups. Conclusions Of the 7 Canadian ObGyn residency program directors included in this study, there is considerable interest in increasing resident exposure to LGBTQ2SIA+ health teaching. These results support the importance of developing a standardized Canadian Reproductive Health curriculum specific to ObGyn residents on sexual and gender minority health. Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ObGyn) in Canada provide care for women from infancy to adulthood, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Currently, we do not knowhow Canadian ObGyn resident physicians receive lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, 2-spirit, intersex, or asexual(LGBTQ2SIA+) health training to achieve competence in LGBTQ2SIA+ care. The objectives of the current study were to determine if and how Canadian ObGyn residents are receiving LGBTQ2SIA+ health training during their residency and program director interest in increasing exposure to resident LGBTQ2SIA+ training, including preferred methods of instruction. An online prospective survey was sent to program directors of all 16 Canadian postgraduate ObGyn programs. Completed surveys were received from 7 program directors. Three programs reported formal teaching on sexual minority health and 4 on gender minority health. All 7 programs were interested in increasing the level of resident exposure to sexual minority health and 6 programs were interested in the same for gender minority health. All program directors expressed interest in implementing a formal curriculum or module, if it was developed, on these topics. The most desired methods of instruction, in order of preference, were case-based presentations, e-modules, didactic lectures, and patient advocacy groups. Of the 7 Canadian ObGyn residency program directors included in this study, there is considerable interest in increasing resident exposure to LGBTQ2SIA+ health teaching. These results support the importance of developing a standardized Canadian Reproductive Health curriculum specific to ObGyn residents on sexual and gender minority health.