Title

Awareness Regarding LGBTQ Persons Medical Problems, their Rights and Related Laws among Medical Fraternity.

Authors

Rahul M. Band, Ashwinikumar B. Sapate, Sadhana V. Lakhute, Ajay L. Ghangale, Kavya Vaddi.

Abstract

Introduction: The LGBTQ community is a heterogenous group, with varied demographics, sexual orientations, gender identities and behaviours. Therefore, subgroups within the LGBT community are unlikely to have the same health needs. Educating healthcare professionals (HCPs) about LGBT-related healthcare issues is considered the most effective way to improve LGBT patients’ management in healthcare. Material and methods: A total of 862 participants answered the questionnaire to check awareness in UG and PG medical students and medical professionals regarding rights and legal aspects of LGBTQ community based on MCQ type questionnaire. Observation & results: In this study, for 15 MCQs,10 questions have more than 50% correct reply; and, for 5 questions with true/false or yes/no reply, 4 got more than 50% correct responses. It signifies need to increase legal literacy regarding rights of LGBTQ persons and their special medical needs among medical fraternity. Conclusion & recommendations: According to this survey awareness among medical students and practitioners is above 50% regarding general knowledge and legal rights but below 50% regarding healthcare needs and their treatment. To increase this awareness medical education should incorporate LGBTQ health issues in UG & PG curriculum.

Key words

LGBTQ, Rights, Health Problems, Medical Fraternity.

DOI

  10.59988/jfmsl.vol.33issue1.8