Doctors given handbook for gay patient care
November 25th, 2008
Doctors in Ireland are being reminded not to assume that their patients are heterosexual.
A book of guidelines for doctors on the care of LGB patients has been launched by the Irish College of General Practitioners.
Research indicates that LGB people are often reluctant to reveal their sexuality to general practitioners, even where it is relevant to their care and treatment.
An Equality Authority study on the health needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual people published earlier in 2008 found that a positive reaction from a GP to a person’s sexual orientation increases feelings of trust from the patient to the doctor.
As a result, patients were more likely to provide the GP with information relevant to their health and to return to the GP for further consultations.
Unsurprisingly, a negative response by a GP to a lesbian, bisexual or gay person’s sexuality can lead to delay or avoidance in seeking help, and a reluctance to reveal other relevant sensitive information to the GP.
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