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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
4252.0: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 2:52 PM

Abstract #111145

Melissa Etheridge is not the only one: Training medical providers to provide culturally competent care to lesbian, bisexual and transgender patients

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:

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.

Healthcare Access for LGBT: Looking at the Facts, Examining Predictors, and Implementing Programs

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA