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Download Full Text (2.3 MB)
Download Patient Form Changes - This document shows a side-by-side comparison of the new and old patient forms. (9.1 MB)
Download Patient Forms (NEW) - This document is a sample of the new patient forms currently being used by NCHC. (406 KB)
Download Patient Forms (OLD) - This document is a sample of the old patient forms that used to be used by NCHC. (316 KB)
Download Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) Scoring Criteria (287 KB)
Download Module #1 - Achieving Health Equity for LGBT People (259 KB)
Download Module #2 - Improving Health Care for Transgender People (259 KB)
Download Module #3 - Caring for LGBTQ Youth in Clinical Settings (259 KB)
Download Module #4 - Caring for LGBT Older Adults (258 KB)
Download Interview Consent Form (151 KB)
Date
2016
Abstract
The aim of this project was to develop a welcoming clinical environment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) patients at Northern Counties Health Care (NCHC) and to serve as a model for community health centers across the nation that want to provide their LGBT communities with patient centered care that is affordable, compassionate and accessible. This was achieved by revising non-discrimination policies and new patient forms to be more inclusive of sexual orientations and gender identities, incorporating LGBT health learning modules into yearly provider and staff mandatories, and adding LGBT inclusive material into all waiting and exam rooms. The effectiveness of these interventions was evaluated using the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) scoring criteria developed by the Human Rights Campaign. Future interventions include registering competent and sensitivity trained providers to the GLMA (Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality) provider directory, including data fields for sexual orientation and gender identity as part of the electronic health record (EHR) for all patients, conducting a community needs assessment with local LGBT groups such as Outright Vermont and NEK LGBTQ Advocacy Committee, developing a partnership with the DHMC Transgender Clinic for additional training in the management of hormone therapies, and measuring LGBT patient satisfaction through phone interviews.
Clinical Site
St. Johnsbury Community Health Center
Keywords
LGBT Health, Healthcare Equality Index, Vermont, NCHC, Community Health Centers
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Disciplines
Community Health | Gender and Sexuality | Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication | Inequality and Stratification | Medical Education | Primary Care
Recommended Citation
Ramadan, Samy S., "Creating a Welcoming Clinical Environment for LGBT Patients" (2016). Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects. 163.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/fmclerk/163
Included in
Community Health Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, Medical Education Commons, Primary Care Commons