How health professionals can make their practice more LGBTQI+ inclusive

Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse, intersex or queer (LGBTQI+) Australians are happy and healthy, but significant health and wellbeing disparities exist between people who are LGBTQI+ and the non-LGBTQI+ population¹.

Discrimination and stigma inhibit the health and wellbeing of people in LGBTQI+ communities and their use of health services^2,3,4. Australians in same-sex relationships who live in areas with more structural stigma (disadvantages and constraints at institutional and societal levels):

• Are less likely to visit the doctor, and use fewer GP and pathology services if they do
• Use more prescribed medicines for mental health disorders (such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication)
• Are more likely to report having a disability or having received disability support payments.

Fewer than half of LGBTQI+ people report ‘feeling accepted a lot’ or ‘always’ when accessing health and support services, according to a survey of nearly 7,000 LGBTQI+ Australians¹. Most (84%) said they accessed mainstream health services; 59% felt their sexual orientation was ‘very/extremely respected’ in this situation, whereas 38% (of those for whom it was relevant) felt their gender identity was ‘very/extremely respected’.

Regarding future access to health services, about one in five LGBTQI+ people said they would prefer a health or support service that caters only to LGBTQI+ people, whereas almost half said they would prefer a mainstream health or support service that is inclusive of LGBTQI+ people¹. However, these preferences varied substantially according to people’s sexual orientations and gender identities.

These figures show there is room for improvement when it comes to making practices more welcoming and inclusive for LGBTQI+ people.

Tips for health professionals

1. Communicate in a welcoming and respectful way

The key to welcoming and respectful communication is to not make assumptions. One way to do this is to use inclusive language and to ask open questions without assuming what someone’s sexual orientation, gender identity or sexual characteristics are.

2. Keep learning

You can improve your knowledge and clinical skills relating to LGBTQI+ people and their specific health needs by:

• Gaining a better understanding of common LGBTQI+ terms, how they are used, and their clinical applications
• Participating in evidence-based training from specialist training providers
• Finding out about LGBTQI+ specialist health services to make appropriate referrals if required.

Tips for organisations 

1. Create a welcoming and safe environment

Use visual cues such as posters and flyers in waiting rooms and other public areas to help LGBTQI+ people feel more welcome. The Victorian Government Department of Health has several customisable posters available to download on their website. You can also communicate inclusivity and safety messages via your practice website and social media accounts. 

It is important to use inclusive language and to uphold privacy in all communications with LGBTIQ+ people. This includes all forms that you use to collect personal information, such as registration or intake forms. 

2. Ongoing training and accreditation

To help foster inclusive healthcare across your organisation, arrange ongoing training for all staff in inclusive language and privacy protocols. If your team attempts to use inclusive language without appropriate background knowledge and understanding, they risk alienating their LGBTQI+ patients.

Find out more about LGBTQI+ health care needs and inclusive practices here:  

• Transgender Healthcare Clinical Summary Guide 
• Rainbow Health Australia
• Pride in Health + Wellbeing