Overcoming technical and cultural challenges to delivering equitable care for LGBTQ+ individuals in a rural, underserved area

• Published in: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA 2022-01, Vol.29 (2), p.372-378
• Main Authors: Marney, Heather L, Vawdrey, David K, Warsame, Leyla, Tavares, Spencer, Shapiro, Andrea, Breese, Arthur, Brayford, Amy, Chittalia, Aliasgar Z
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case Reports; Female; Gender Identity; Healthcare Disparities; Humans; Male; Medically Underserved Area; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Sexual Behavior; Transgender Persons
• ISSN: 1527-974X; 1067-5027; 1527-974X
• DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocab227

Abstract The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+) community is vulnerable to health-care disparities. Many health-care organizations are working to collect sexual orientation and gender identity in their electronic health records (EHRs), with the goal of providing more inclusive care to their LGBTQ+ patients. There are significant human and technical barriers to making these efforts successful. Based on our 5-year experience at Geisinger (an integrated health system located in a rural, generally conservative area), this case report provides insights to overcome challenges in 4 critical areas: (1) enabling the EHR to collect and use information to support the health-care needs of LGBTQ+ patients, (2) building a culture of awareness and caring, empowering members of the health-care team to break down barriers of misunderstanding and mistrust, (3) developing services to support the needs of LGBTQ+ patients, and (4) partnering with local communities to become a trusted health-care provider.