July 2021

The LGBTQ+ community and dermatology

This year, insights and analytics company Ipsos led an global LGBTQ+ survey which suggests that Gen Z (those born on or after 1997) are more likely to identify as “transgender”, “non-binary/non-conforming/gender-fluid” or “in another way” rather than as “male” or “female” compared to all other age groups. Based on this survey, globally, 7% say they are only or mostly attracted to the same sex, 4% equally to both sexes, 83% only to the opposite sex and 6% don’t know or prefer not to say.

Gen Z were also more likely to be exposed to lesbian/gay/homosexual persons, bisexual persons, transgender persons, and non-binary/non-conforming/gender-fluid persons. As Gen Z patients are presenting to ‘adult’ dermatology services, we as healthcare professionals need to be more conscious to the needs of the Sexual and Gender Minority (or LGBTQ+) population.

Dr Bernard Ho

Help us identify areas to improve in LGBTQ+ dermatology 

I’m Dr Bernard Ho, a dermatologist based at St George’s Hospital, London. Despite increasing emphasis on LGBTQ+ health in medical education and the general public, evidence-based training on LGBTQ+ patient care in dermatology is lacking. I am keen to change this with the support of the British Skin Foundation.

During the Pride Month in June the British Skin Foundation and I launched two LGBTQ+ surveys, one for healthcare professionals and one for patients. These surveys hope to explore the feelings of healthcare professionals looking after LGBTQ+ patients and the concerns and expectations of the LGBTQ+ community.

The bigger picture for the LGBTQ+ community in healthcare

As the results of the new Health Survey for England Health and health-related behaviours of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual adults were announced on 6 July 2021, we hope our survey can also be part of a national effort in identifying areas for growth, specifically in dermatology.

Take the LGBTQ+ dermatology survey as a patient or healthcare professional

If you are a patient or service user, we would be grateful if you clicked on this link for the patient survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LGBTQdermpatient

If you are a healthcare professional, we would be grateful if you clicked on this link for the healthcare professional survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LGBTQdermHCP

We look forward to hearing from our diverse sexual and gender minority communities to identify training needs of our patient-facing workforce, to ensure that we are delivering care that remains aware, sensitive, inclusive and prepared to meet their needs.

If you have any questions or ideas on how we can collaborate on future projects, I would love to hear from you. You can contact me at [email protected].

Please share the survey with your colleagues and friends! The survey will close on 31^st August 2021. Thank you.

Dr Bernard Ho
St George’s Hospital, London

Donate    Take the patient survey    Take the HCP survey

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