Queer Medicine: Teaching, Learning & Practicing

Healthy People 2020, the government's official publication outlining public health needs and goals, reports that “LGBT individuals face health disparities linked to societal stigma, discrimination, and denial of their civil and human rights.” The 2011 Institute of Medicine Report recommends that “Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals have unique health experiences and needs, but as a nation, we do not know exactly what these experiences and needs are.” A subset of these defined needs is looking at the experiences and issues faced by LGBT individuals who practice medicine. Several studies have commented on the heteronormativity of the culture of medicine that may effect professional development, professional identity, ethical issues, and legal issues involved with the practice and provision of medicine. Drawing on a qualitative study of self-identified LGBT medical students and physicians, this panel will present the results of these in-depth interviews and then examine the ethical and legal implications involved and subtle discriminations they may face. In the first 15 minutes, the panel will present the study results, exploring the themes, challenges, and unique ethical issues raised by the study participants. In the second 15 minutes, the panelists will discuss 3 of the ethical issues raised in the study (confidentiality, equal access to care, and neglect of health issues). The following 15 minutes will look at the legal issues raised by study participants (discrimination, health insurance, and family life). The final 15 minutes will be dedicated to question and answers from the audience.