LGBTQ Health Care Environments

A new report entitled “Organizational Strategies & Inclusive Language to Build Culturally Responsive Health Care Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer People” provides tangible examples of organizational strategies & inclusive language that can be easily integrated into standard patient-facing processes, forms & materials. The report covers methods for improving outreach & marketing materials, registration forms, medical history forms & nondiscrimination statements. Hilary Goldhammer, SM & Lead Author stated, “One of the key lessons we have learned from the field is that health care organizations want to become more inclusive, but do not always have the tools to do so. People working in all aspects of health care, from the front lines to the executive offices, appreciate specific and actionable examples of what they can say, write, do & show to ensure that LGBTQIA+ patients feel welcome & safe. Many of these recommendations have the potential to improve the experience of all patients in a given practice. For example, collecting, recording & consistently using the affirmed names of transgender or gender diverse patients is important because the affirmed name often does not match the name & gender marker on their insurance card. But this practice also benefits any patient who goes by a nickname or a middle name instead of a first name. Sometimes small changes like this can create big returns with regard to respecting patients’ lives & identities.” The report was authored by leading educators & clinical experts on LGBTQIA+ health care from The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Brigham & Women’s Hospital & Massachusetts General Hospital. Read Full Report…