Graduate medical education curriculum regarding the health and healthcare of older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) adults

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) adults experience a wide variety of unique challenges accessing healthcare. These barriers may be exacerbated among older LGBTQ+ people due to intersecting, marginalized identities. To prepare physicians to address the healthcare needs of older LGBTQ+ adults, graduate medical education (GME) must include training about the specific needs of this population. Prior studies demonstrate a lack of LGBTQ+ training in GME curricula. Here, we investigated the presence of LGBTQ+ curricula in internal medicine residencies and geriatrics fellowships through a national survey. Over 62.0% of internal medicine (n = 49) and 65.6% (n = 21) of geriatric medicine fellowship program directors, responding to the survey, reported content relevant to the health of older LGBTQ+ adults. Education about LGBTQ+ health in internal medicine residencies and geriatrics fellowships is vital for the provision of culturally-competent healthcare and to create an inclusive environment for older LGBTQ+ patients.

Keywords:

• Curriculum
• geriatric fellowship
• graduate medical education
• health disparities
• LGBTQ+

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all of the PDs who took time to complete this study. We would also like to thank Drs. Glenn Rosenbluth and Sarah Schaeffer for reviewing earlier drafts of the survey instrument.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

In accordance with IRB stipulations, data will not be posted online but can be made available at request.

Additional information

Funding

MCM has support from the National Institute of Mental Health under Award F30MH118762.