Renovating Physical Therapy Practice: Keys to Improving LGBTQ+ Inclusivity into your Practice Setting - Part 1 & 2

LGBTQ+ populations have increased rates of substance use, depression, anxiety, smoking, alcohol misuse, suicide, social isolation, and disconnection from health and support services (Campbell). This course will lay the foundation for physical therapists and physical therapy assistants to make physical therapy settings more inclusive for their LGBTQ+ patients. We will discover commonly accepted LGBTQ+ terminology and definitions as well as practice asking about pronouns and chosen name. According to Mora, when gender-expansive youth are able to socially transition and use a name that is affirming (their chosen name), they are 65% less likely to attempt suicide compared to those who are not. Many barriers to health care as well as health care disparities exist for the LGBTQ+ community, which will be considered in this webinar. 23% of transgender patients avoided needed health care for fear of mistreatment due to their gender identity (Raifman). In order to assist patients in all their care needs, we must additionally have knowledge of local, state, and national resources.

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[IMPORTANT] Must complete Part 1 in order to access Part 2

In addition to fearing seeking care due to past discrimination by health care providers, “19-27% of transgender people report being turned away by providers who refused to care for them, across all types of providers (not just specialists in care related to trans status)” (Dean). This course will assist you in making changes to increase the inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ patient population in your practice setting. LGBTQ+ persons often “clue seek” to ascertain if a health care setting is a safe space to seek care. We will discuss visible and non-visible ways in which your clinic can demonstrate its safety for the LGBTQ+ population. We will discover micro- and macroaggressions that occur against the LGBTQ+ community, the importance of trauma-informed care when working with LGBTQ+ patients, and specific strategies for increasing the inclusivity of your PT practice setting. Increasing inclusivity will only increase the likelihood of this underserved population seeking care, something desperately needed. According to the National LGBT Health Education Center, “…28% [of TGNC people] had postponed necessary medical care when sick or injured, and 33% delayed or did not try to get preventative health care due to discrimination by health care providers.”

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