| LGBT Health Resources |
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MSM
The CDC has a compilation of resources and guidelines regarding health concerns specific to men who have sex with men, MSM. As it is across the entire LGBT community, interactions with healthcare providers can raise some degree of fear as some patients may not be out to family or friends, may have a history of fear or negative reaction on the part of others after disclosure of their sexual orientation, have general concerns about provider lack of understanding or have other barriers to healthcare in terms of access to insurance benefits. Lack of regular use of the healthcare system due to these concerns is just one of the components that attribute to health concerns in the MSM population. http://www.cdc.gov/msmhealth/
GLMA has compiled a list of Ten Things Gay Men Should discuss with Their Healthcare Provider. http://glma.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=690
WSW
The National Women’s Health Information Center, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has a compilation of health concerns specific to women who have sex with women, WSW. As it is across the entire LGBT community, interactions with healthcare providers can raise some degree of fear as some patients may not be out to family or friends, may have a history of fear or negative reaction on the part of others after disclosure of their sexual orientation, have general concerns about provider lack of understanding or have other barriers to healthcare in terms of access to insurance benefits. Lack of regular use of the healthcare system due to these concerns is just one of the components that attribute to health concerns in the WSW population. http://womenshealth.gov/faq/lesbian-health.cfm
GLMA has compiled a list of Ten Things Lesbians Should discuss with Their Healthcare Provider http://www.glma.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=691
Transgender
As it is across the entire LGBT community, interactions with healthcare providers can raise some degree of fear as some patients may not have disclosed their transgender status to family or friends, may have a history of fear or negative reaction on the part of others after disclosure, have general concerns about provider lack of understanding or have other barriers to healthcare in terms of access to insurance benefits. Lack of regular use of the healthcare system due to these concerns is just one of the components that attribute to health concerns in the transgender population
Standards of care for Trans patients are compiled by the World Professional Association of Transgender Health, WPATH. This document has been revised on several occasions since the first edition in 1979. The current standards can be found at http://www.wpath.org/publications_standards.cfm
GLMA has compiled a list of Ten Things Transgender Persons Should discuss with Their Healthcare Provider. http://www.glma.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=692
General
CDC STD guidelines - while this information is not specific to LGBT populations, current STD guidelines are useful in guiding risk management in all sexually active patients. It is important to keep in mind that it is sexual behavior, not identity as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender that determines risk. http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/default.htm
It Gets Better is a project aimed at youth and others who may not have access to role models or a community in which they can see a future for themselves. This site offers a compilation of stories and videos to provide access to hope that it does get better. http://www.itgetsbetter.org/
Medical Standards Brochure
Medical Standards of Care is a presentation aimed at men who have sex with men (MSM) and women who have sex with women (WSW). Please consult with you health care professional to decide which of these standards apply most specifically to you. Click here for the online brochure
Educational tools
Fenway Health provides a wealth of information and resources for LGBT health and research. Included among these resources is a collection of power point modules and handouts regarding caring for LBGT patients. If you are looking to educate yourself or others, this link should be a valuable resource to begin this process. http://www.fenwayhealth.org/site/PageServer?pagename=FCHC_ins_fenway_EducPro_modules
One of the aspects of education regarding caring for LGBT patients is exposure. It is helpful to have a panel discussion along with a lecture to assist with questions that students or providers often have outside of what is presented. If you are unable to find participants, feel free to contact info@lbgtpa.org and we will make every effort to put you in touch with contacts in your area who have offered this type of service. If you would like be contacted in regards to requests such as this, you may also make this known via e-mail. We will not publish your information, but will keep your contact information so that we may reach out to you when a request is made.
Another resource that can be used is My Right Self. Through the support of several organizations, including AMSA, the American Medical Student association, this project has been constructed as a resource to improve understanding and appreciation of the life of a transgender individual. This site is geared towards transfolks, family, and healthcare providers. http://myrightself.org