Ireland: Don’t assume patients are heterosexual, medics warned

24 November 2008

Doctors have been warned against assuming all of their patients are heterosexual and of having an unwitting or unintentional bias against gay people.

The advice is contained in the first book of guidelines for family doctors on the care of gay patients – male and female – which was launched at the winter meeting of the Irish College of General Practitioners in Dublin over the weekend.

The booklet warns that anti-gay bias among professionals – while often unwitting – results in lesbian, gay or bisexual patients receiving inferior care.

It follows research showing many people are still reluctant to reveal their sexuality to their doctor, emphasising the need for the GP to take steps to encourage disclosure and have an educated response.

Odhran Allen, author of the guidelines, said anti-gay bias by GPs is often due to a lack of awareness on sexual orientation.

“Even the most subtle expressions of anti-gay bias may have an adverse effect on the doctor-patient relationship and the person’s willingness to disclose information,” the booklet points out.

   
http://www.independent.ie/health/latest-news/dont-assume-patients-are-heterosexual-medics-warned-1550824.html