Original Research: Lesbian Health Education: A Survey of Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Training Programs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the status of lesbian health education in obstetrics and gynecology training programs in the United States and Canada. A survey was conducted of program directors of all accredited North American obstetrics and gynecology residency training programs. The response rate was 42% (118/283). The mean number of hours devoted to lesbian health education over the 4 years was 1.86 hr (n = 118 programs), with the most frequent method of instruction being lectures and seminars. More than half of the programs offered no instruction in lesbian health. Seventy-three percent of program directors felt that the lesbian health training was less than adequate, and 71% perceived a need to expand the lesbian health curriculum in their programs. In conclusion, lesbian health education is variable across institutions. The current status of lesbian health education is felt to be inadequate by program directors and there is a perceived need to expand the lesbian health curriculum in obstetrics and gynecology training programs.