Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Adolescent Health: An Interprofessional Case Discussion.

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Jerel P. Calzo, San Diego State University; Maurice Melchiono, Boston Children's Hospital; Tracy K. Richmond, Boston Children's Hospital; Scott F. Leibowitz, Nationwide Children's Hospital; Russell L. Argenal, San Diego State University; Adrianne Goncalves, Boston Children's Hospital; Sarah Pitts, Harvard Medical School; Holly Gooding, Emory University; Pamela Burke, Boston Children's Hospital
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-08-09
• Publisher: Association of American Medical Colleges
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2017 Calzo et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.10615
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: MedEdPORTAL
• Volume: 13
• Start Page: 10615
• End Page: 10615
• Grant/Funding Information: Ms. Goncalves reports grants from Health Resources and Services Administration/Maternal and Child Health during the conduct of the study.; Dr. Calzo reports grant K01DA034753 from NIH/NIDA during the conduct of the study.; Dr. Pitts reports grants from Health Resources and Services Administration/Maternal and Child Health during the conduct of the study.; Dr. Melchiono reports grants from Health Resources and Services Administration/Maternal and Child Health during the conduct of the study.; Dr. Burke reports grants from Health Resources and Services Administration/Maternal and Child Health during the conduct of the study.
• Keywords: Sexual Minorities; Case-Based Learning; Lecture; Adolescent Health; LGBT; Debate; Health Disparities; Communication Skills; Interprofessional Collaboration
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Nursing; Health Sciences, Health Care Management

Abstract

Introduction: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adolescents frequently endure considerable adversity as they encounter identity-related stigma. As a result, LGBT adolescents are often at disproportionate risk for experiencing negative social and health outcomes. Methods: This four-module curriculum allows learners to explore challenges common to the clinical care of LGBT adolescents while also providing exposure to current trends and evidence in LGBT health. Through a combination of reflective exercises, didactic lectures, foundational readings, facilitated case discussion, and debate, the curriculum introduces learners to issues of assessment, treatment, and support as they relate to LGBT youth. The curriculum was written for use with learners in an interprofessional training program representing the disciplines of medicine, nursing, nutrition, social work, and psychology. Results: Four years of evaluation data indicate that the curriculum is particularly useful for exposing learners to the complexities of serving and supporting LGBT youth and identifying personal skills that may require additional development. Learners emerge with greater confidence in identifying local and national LGBT resources. Discussion: Incorporating cultural humility is key to fostering a commitment to lifelong learning and maintaining learners' confidence when working with marginalized populations. Optimal discussion occurs when learners in all disciplines contribute, yet instructors can teach modules separately or modify them when learners from all disciplines are not present. In addition, learners emerge with greater confidence in connecting with outside resources, which assists both referrals for patients and self-directed learning.