Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111145

Jessica A. Halem, Executive Director, Lesbian Community Cancer Project (LCCP), 4025 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60613, 773 572 5116, jessica@lccp.org

Medical school curricula and continuing education programs do not provide sufficient information on lesbian health care and how providers can communicate their expertise and acceptance to patients. Through applying the principles of cultural competence, medical professionals can reduce or eliminate barriers to access to care, thereby improving acceptability of services.

For 15 years, the Lesbian Community Cancer Project (LCCP) has been increasing the visibility and quality of care for lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals (LBT). From January 2005-July 2005, LCCP will be providing six curriculum based trainings, with pre- and post- testing, to medical providers in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Disparities can be overcome with this innovative program thus increasing the access to this important state funded program that provides early detection and care for women with cancer.

We will demonstrate how we use a curriculum based training program to build cultural competency and promote change within health care delivery systems. With the curriculum, facilitators reveal the barriers to access for LBT, define culture and cultural competence in the healthcare setting, create a language for sexual identity, orientation and behavior, explore heterosexism within the medical setting, identify lesbian health issues, with supporting data and statistics, and finally define quality care, suggesting action plans to carry out in their institution.

Learning Objectives:

• Articulate the benefits of providing culturally competent care to LBT clients
• Identify areas where medical providers need to change attitude and/or behaviors to avoid creating additional barriers to care for LBT clients
• Develop a plan for providing training in their healthcare setting to bridge the disparities faced by LBT clients

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.