Providing LGBTQ+ affirming care to young adults with inflammatory bowel diseases

Abstract

Creating an affirming care environment for young adults with IBD in the LGBTQ+ community is an essential part of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care. This article summarizes the discussions held during the Roundtable on Young Adults with IBD, which focused on essential information for adult-care providers to successfully navigate the complexities and intricacies of sexuality and gender identity for young adult IBD patients. The Roundtable on Young Adults with IBD is held through the Crohn’s and Colitis Young Adults Network. Key focus areas include establishing effective communication between providers and patients, maintaining patient safety and privacy, emphasizing trauma-informed practices, and building trust-based provider-patient relationships. Addressing these issues will allow providers to more fully and effectively treat LGBTQ+ young adults with IBD, ensuring a better, safer path into successful adult lives.