Founded in 1996, the Bronx Lesbian and Gay Health Resource Consortium, Inc. has worked to create better access to quality health care and social services for the Bronx LGBT community. For Bronx LGBT residents, as with many LGBT communities, the major barrier to obtaining quality primary care has been the lack of accessible gay-sensitive providers. In response, the Consortium designed a cultural competency curriculum to help future providers build the skills and capacity to discuss LGBT health issues. The "Frontline Training Workshop" covers the following themes: 1) misconceptions and stereotypes about LGBT health needs, 2) social constructs and terms of gay identity, 3) barriers to health care for the LGBT community, and 4) strategies for effective communication between provider and LGBT patient. Anonymous pre- and post-questionnaires were conducted at each of the workshops. The pre-questionnaire assessed the participant's prior level of knowledge, experiences, and feelings about discussing the health needs of LGBT individuals. Each participant was asked to note three questions about the health needs of LGBT individuals to be answered during the workshop. To evaluate the impact of the workshop, participants were asked on the pre- and post-surveys to indicate the importance of discussing same-sex behavior with various groups and of becoming informed about the health needs of LGBT individuals. Statistical differences in pre-post responses were tested with the McNemar Test. Overall, the workshop was perceived to provide some information about the health needs of the LGBT community and how to discuss such issues with patients.
Learning Objectives: 1. Underline the need for current and future physicians to be culturally competent in addressing the needs of LGBT patients, 2. Describe a cultural competency curricula designed for medical students, residents, and physicians in the Bronx, 3. Share main findings and results from an evaluation of the Frontline Training Workshop
Keywords: Cultural Competency, Gay
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Bronx Lesbian and Gay Health Resource Consortium, Inc.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: President of the Consortium. Does not receive any financial compensation for services.