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Fear of Discrimination Keeps Gay Patients in Closet
Today at 2:00 AM
by Ross von Metzke
Los Angeles, CA - A report by the British Medical Association finds that gay and lesbian patients in the United States and Europe often fear disclosing their sexuality to doctors because they fear their treatment will suffer.
The report also says many gay doctors do not come out to colleagues because they fear the consequences. One doctor cited in the study reported being told he should not work in pediatrics because of his sexuality.
According to the BMA report, simple changes, such as using gender neutral language when talking about a patient's partner, and not assuming sexual health is the primary health need of gay patients, would reduce feelings of discrimination. The report calls for a series of measures including guidance on sexual orientation in equal opportunities policies and a crack-down on incidents of homophobia. It also includes guidelines for teaching medical students how to act in a non-judgemental way towards gay and lesbian colleagues and patients.
"Everyone has the right to be treated equally, regardless of their sexual orientation," Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's Head of Science and Ethics, explained in the report, issued over the weekend. "Doctors and patients should feel safe and confident when they are in hospitals and surgeries."
The report finds patients in the interior United States fear disclosing their sexuality to doctors most, while patients in coastal states and several European countries are more apt to be open with medical staff.
"Future doctors have a responsibility to their colleagues and patients," Dr Sam Everington, co-chair of the BMA's Equal Opportunities Committee, said. "Sexual orientation should be included in the medical school curriculum and will help create a health service environment where all doctors can achieve their full potential and all patients be treated with the respect they deserve."
Today at 2:00 AM
by Ross von Metzke
Los Angeles, CA - A report by the British Medical Association finds that gay and lesbian patients in the United States and Europe often fear disclosing their sexuality to doctors because they fear their treatment will suffer.
The report also says many gay doctors do not come out to colleagues because they fear the consequences. One doctor cited in the study reported being told he should not work in pediatrics because of his sexuality.
According to the BMA report, simple changes, such as using gender neutral language when talking about a patient's partner, and not assuming sexual health is the primary health need of gay patients, would reduce feelings of discrimination. The report calls for a series of measures including guidance on sexual orientation in equal opportunities policies and a crack-down on incidents of homophobia. It also includes guidelines for teaching medical students how to act in a non-judgemental way towards gay and lesbian colleagues and patients.
"Everyone has the right to be treated equally, regardless of their sexual orientation," Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's Head of Science and Ethics, explained in the report, issued over the weekend. "Doctors and patients should feel safe and confident when they are in hospitals and surgeries."
The report finds patients in the interior United States fear disclosing their sexuality to doctors most, while patients in coastal states and several European countries are more apt to be open with medical staff.
"Future doctors have a responsibility to their colleagues and patients," Dr Sam Everington, co-chair of the BMA's Equal Opportunities Committee, said. "Sexual orientation should be included in the medical school curriculum and will help create a health service environment where all doctors can achieve their full potential and all patients be treated with the respect they deserve."
