LGBTQ youth ranked competence and interpersonal skills among the most important qualities of healthcare providers.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth are at excess risk for adverse health outcomes, such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), depression, suicide, and substance abuse; however, information about their healthcare experiences is lacking. Researchers developed an internet-based survey to assess healthcare preferences in a diverse sample of >700 LGBTQ youth (mean age, 17 years). Respondents were asked to rank the most important qualities of healthcare providers and offices and to report which concerns were most important to discuss with healthcare providers.
Highest-ranked qualities in healthcare providers were competence, respect, honesty, listening to the patient, treating LGBTQ youth the same as other youth,…