Creating Inclusive and Affirming Primary Care Environments for LGBTQIA+ Patients

Abstract

The LGBTQIA+ community has long faced disparities in health care, which have had significant health consequences compared with the cisgender, heterosexual community. Particularly in smaller, primary care settings, interventions are needed to increase the knowledge and cultural competency of providers, create welcoming and safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ patients, and encourage disclosure of sexual orientation and gender identity. This quality improvement project implemented and evaluated an adapted evidence-based model for creating a welcoming, inclusive, and affirming primary care environment for LGBTQIA+ patients in a small family practice medical center and offers a roadmap for other centers to do the same.