Patterns of Communication Between Gay and Lesbian Patients and Their Health Care Providers

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Objectives: To determine whether gay men and lesbians disclose their sexual orientation, and other sensitive behaviors to their primary care physicians; whether they have a chance of finding a gay friendly physician; and what factors are involved. Methods: A self-report questionnaire was administered to 66 gay men and 28 lesbians at a gay and lesbian community center. Results: Less than half of participants felt their health insurance plan gave them a choice of finding a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) doctor. Those who did were more likely to be older, male, and to feel more comfortable discussing sex. Men were more likely to disclose their sexual orientation to their health care provider (HCP), to feel very comfortable discussing sex, to have a male doctor, to have a choice of finding a LGB provider through their insurance plan, and to think their provider is LGB. Those who disclosed their sexual orientation to their providers were more likely to be white males with male doctors, who felt their...

This publication has 11 references indexed in Scilit: