 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Cheryl Pearson-Fields, MPH, The Mautner Project for Lesbians With Cancer, 1707 L Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036, Nofirstname Scout, ABD, Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, 535 W. 111th St. #51, New York, NY 10025-1992, and Judith Bradford, PhD, Survey and Evaluation Research Laboratory, Virginia Commonwealth University and Columbia University Center for LGBT Health, 921 West Franklin Street, VCU Box 843065, Richmond, VA 23284-3065, 804-828-8813, cfields@mautnerproject.org.
Research Objective: Determine effectiveness of a 4.5 hour training in lesbian cultural competence on the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs (KAB) of health care providers (HCP).
Study Design: The training consisted of videotapes, case studies/vignettes, and exercises on culture and heterosexual bias, terminology and lesbian health issues. Training effectiveness and impact was assessed through pre-, post-test and 3-month follow-up evaluation of KAB. A total of 30 measures were used on the three linked evaluation forms.
Principle Findings: Pre and post test data, and pre-, post and follow-up data were analyzed. Mean change scores were statistically significant in the desired direction for 24 of 26 eligible items (92%) asked at pre- and post-test (N=278). Changes in KAB were sustained from baseline to 3-months (N=64) for seven of the outcome measures (positive changes that failed to meet significance were noted on almost all measures). HCP continued to feel adequately trained to discuss healthcare with lesbian patients (p<=.001), and could find resources to enhance their service delivery to lesbian patients (p<=.001), providers were also more comfortable discussing sexual orientation (p<=.05), and healthcare concerns with their lesbian patients (p<=.01). Additionally, HCP were able to use language that was inclusive of sexual diversity (p<=.001).
Conclusions: Evaluation of the impact of RTB clearly demonstrates its effectiveness in decreasing assumptive barriers to providing adequate healthcare for lesbians, increasing provider comfort level, and knowledge about lesbian sexuality and healthcare needs. Measures of trainee satisfaction also indicate the appropriateness and viability of the training delivery methods used in RTB.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Access to Care, Training
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.