Welcoming LGBTQ Patients and Clients

Course overview

Across disciplines, health and human service providers have reported a lack of knowledge about LGBTQ language, culture, and health disparities. This contributes to a distrust of the healthcare system, resulting in delayed care with worse health outcomes. When patients and clients feel safe bringing their authentic selves into the treatment room, it leads to better patient-provider communication, greater adherence to recommended follow-up, and, ultimately, improved health. This is the second course of a two-part series addressing this gap in knowledge. This course focuses on both individual and system-wide changes that serve to create a more welcoming environment for LGBTQ people in all treatment settings. Specific skills and recommended policy changes will be addressed. The information in this course will be useful for physical therapists, social workers, nurses, occupational therapists, and others.