The Patient's Perspective: Reorienting Dermatologic Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning Patients

Andrew V Ruoss; William R Short; Carrie L Kovarik

doi:10.1016/j.det.2019.10.003

The Patient's Perspective: Reorienting Dermatologic Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning Patients

Dermatol Clin. 2020 Apr;38(2):191-199. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2019.10.003. Epub 2019 Nov 27.

Authors

Andrew V Ruoss¹, William R Short², Carrie L Kovarik³

Affiliations

¹ The Greenwich Country Day School, Greenwich, CT 06830, USA.
² Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
³ Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 2 Maloney Building, 3600 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: carrie.kovarik@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.

PMID: 32115128
DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2019.10.003

Abstract

The past decade has seen significant advancements in care and representation of LGBTQ patients in American health care. These efforts have primarily taken the form of institutional policy changes and medical staff training in cultural competency. Drawing from patient interviews and author expertise, this article discusses the patient experience as the starting point for the development of effective, inclusive policy. Looking to the related field of LGBTQ youth wellness and education, and focusing on an integrative approach to LGBTQ health care within the University of Pennsylvania Health System, this article seeks to reframe the discussion about the care of LGBTQ-identifying patients in dermatologic practices.

Keywords: Bias; Cultural competency; Cultural humility; Dermatology; Diversity; LGBTQ; Patients.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Cues
Cultural Competency
Culturally Competent Care*
Dermatology*
Humans
Organizational Policy
Patient Participation
Physician-Patient Relations*
Prejudice
Sexual and Gender Minorities*
Stakeholder Participation