Are pediatric surgery clinics LGBTQ+ inclusive?

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-2022

Abstract

PURPOSE: Creating inclusive LGBTQ+ environments is important in the provision of inclusive care. This cross sectional study assessed whether patient intake forms in pediatric surgery departments were LGBTQ+ inclusive (L-I).

METHODS: North American pediatric surgery departments affiliated with pediatric surgery fellowships or general surgery residencies were contacted to retrieve patient intake forms. Forms were assessed for LGBTQ+ inclusivity using a novel L-I scoring system consisting of 6 criteria: preferred name, pronouns, preferred language, gender identity, sex assigned at birth, and l-I guardianship. Institutions without intake forms were invited to comment on their use of l-I intake questions.

RESULTS: 59/125 programs responded to our query, 10 of which provided intake forms. Median l-I score was 2/6 points (range 1-4). l-I guardianship was the most common question asked. No intake form asked for pronouns. Of the 49 institutions without forms, 30.5% reported asking l-I questions during initial visits. Narratives from these institutions varied widely. Some institutions supported routine l-I questions while others stated l-I questions were unnecessary, irrelevant, and/or offensive.

CONCLUSIONS: Few North American pediatric surgery departments consistently ask l-I questions during the intake process. Comments questioning the appropriateness and necessity of l-I questions highlight the need for LGBTQ+ education.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

TYPE OF STUDY: Cross sectional study.

Volume

57

Issue

1

First Page

104

Last Page

110

ISSN

1531-5037

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

34670677

Department(s)

Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine Fellows and Residents, Fellows and Residents

Document Type

Article

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