Improving Rural LGBTQ+ Access to Primary Care Through Provider Education

Abstract

Purpose. This quality improvement (QI) project is to increase provider knowledge regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) healthcare needs and to help increase rural access to this population for their primary care needs.Background. The LGBT+ population has a 2.5 times higher rate of depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation than their peers. Medical providers in their graduate education program, on average, receive less than five total hours of training on the healthcare needs of the LGBT+ population. As a provider receives further education on LGBT+ health-related topics, they are better prepared to appropriately screen, address, and provide care to help improve LGBT+ health disparities. Methods. This quality improvement (QI) project was completed with Wyoming Equality, a state-run lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) advocacy group in Wyoming. This educational intervention consisted of a 35-minute prerecorded video on the introduction to the primary care needs of the LGBT+ population. Providers were assessed on improved knowledge and comfort level with the LGBT+ population with a pretest and posttest. Results. Response from participants was N=1 for the pretest and posttest. The average score increased from 6.44 on the pretest to 6.56 on the posttest. The knowledge questions were the only section with an increased score. The attitude questions had the same score, and the clinical preparedness questions showed a decreased score in this section. Conclusions. Provider knowledge increased after the intervention, and a positive provider attitude toward the LGBT+ population was consistent with the literature. Further research is needed to address barriers within Wyoming regarding provider education on LGBT+ healthcare topics.