Health care providers interested in learning more about caring for LGBTQ patients can join a day-long workshop Monday at the University of Louisville.
Held at the School of Medicine, the workshop will teach providers how to identify personal biases that can arise in a healthcare environment and how take a sexual history appropriate for LGBTQ patients.
Stacie Steinbock is director of the LGBT Center satellite office on the Health Sciences Center campus at U of L. Steinbock said LGBTQ individuals often don't receive the health care they need.
“Research has shown that in many cases, LGBTQ individuals delay care or may fall out of care because of barriers they encounter in the health care system," Steinbock said via email. "We want to educate providers in how to understand the unique health needs of these patients.”
Included in the summit is a patient-centered care workshop. Officials say the goal is to provide guidance on how to take a social history across multiple identities and take a sexual history appropriate for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Participants will also be informed on how to conduct a trauma-informed physical exam, officials said.
“Nearly every day, we get a call in the LGBT Center from someone in the community asking for the name of an LGBTQ-friendly health care provider," said Steinbock.
She said providers will be invited to sign up on the OutCarewebsite, a nationwide resource for health care providers who serve LGBTQ patients. Steinbock said the goal is to connect LGBTQ people with providers "who can understand and meet their needs."
Summit attendees will also learn best practices for prescribing hormone therapy for transgender patients and be invited to participate in a community forum and small group discussions with LGBTQ community members.
Registration is required. More information can be found here.
