Self-perceived confidence and competence of medical students in treating patients with diverse sexualities and genders

Christine Mausolf; Elizabeth Beare; Shahid Ullah; David Lim

doi:10.11157/fohpe.v25i4.802

Authors

Christine Mausolf Flinders University, Australia
Elizabeth Beare Flinders University, Australia
Shahid Ullah Flinders University, Australia
David Lim University of Technology Sydney, Australia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2837-0973

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11157/fohpe.v25i4.802

Keywords:

medical education, gender identity, sexual and gender minorities, sexual orientation, social discrimination

Abstract

Introduction: Insufficient knowledge among health staff about people with diverse sexualities and genders (DSGs) can hinder access to care. This student-initiated project aimed to ascertain medical students’ self-perceived confidence and competence in treating patients with DSGs, identify student satisfaction with DSG curricular content and identify discrimination and/or biases.

Methods: In 2022, medical students from an Australian medical program were surveyed using an adapted medical student survey instrument used in the United States and Canada.

Results: The response rate of 15% (n = 91) included 70% heterosexual students. Respondents reported more confidence in treating patients with diverse sexualities (68%) compared to patients with diverse genders (41%). They reported greater competence in identifying their own implicit biases and impact on the delivery of DSG care (75%) but were less competent in describing treatment options (17%). Respondents reported having witnessed or experienced DSG discrimination (26%) and heterosexism (38%). Respondents (93%) want increased DSG content in the medical curriculum.

Conclusion: To address gaps in DSG health knowledge among clinicians, further DSG teaching in the medical curriculum may inform better future practice and patient care.

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