Sexual and Gender Minority Health Care Issues Related Competence and Preparedness Among the Health Care Professionals and Trainees in India: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and additional Queer, Intersex, asexual and agender (LGBTQIAA+) community is roughly 3.8% of the population of India. However, the services in terms of availability and competence are currently limited in the Indian healthcare system. Aim: To assess self-reported competence and preparedness of primary healthcare individuals and trainees in India (primarily Delhi) and compare the findings with Western studies. Setting and design: A cross-sectional study was designed to study sexual and gender minority (SGM) healthcare issues related to the competence and preparedness among the primary healthcare individuals and trainees at a tertiary healthcare centre. The study population included: Faculty members, Residents, Postgraduate trainees, Undergraduate trainees and Nursing staff. The study was conducted using an online Google survey after ethical clearance. Method and material: A cross-sectional Web-based survey was conducted for the medical and nursing healthcare professionals and trainees at a tertiary healthcare centre to assess competence and preparedness to deal with SGM healthcare issues using a questionnaire for the assessment of self-reported competence, comfort and preparedness for sexual orientation, gender identity and sex development health issues based on competencies outlined by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges). A minimum of 25 participants in each of the four equally stratified groups were recruited using purposive sampling over 3 months. Statistical analysis used: The data was analysed using Epicollect software. Results: Satisfactory comfort and competence among the study groups are in line with the available Western literature though contrary to findings of Indian studies where inadequacy of knowledge regarding homosexuality was a major finding. A majority of positive responses in comfort, competency and knowledge are reflective of the change in attitude and culture among the modern society and effectiveness of awareness and support groups in government colleges of Delhi which was comparable with the available Indian and Western literature. Conclusion: Our study is a pioneer work to assess the healthcare workers’ skills in the assessment approach for the SGM population. The findings of our study may be useful further to develop objective measures to evaluate the competency and knowledge of healthcare providers.