President Encourages Doctors to Avail of Training Opportunities to Better Understand the Identities and Needs of their LGBTI Patients
Friday, 25th June 2021: The President of the Medical Council, Dr Suzanne Crowe has today, on the eve of the Dublin Pride Virtual Parade and Pride Day, called on doctors to avail of training opportunities to help them better understand the identities and needs of their LGBTI+ patients.
Medical Council President, Dr Suzanne Crowe, said “As doctors we treat members of the LGBTI+ community and as patients we are treated and cared for by members of the LGBTI+ community. Mutual trust and respect are central to the doctor-patient relationship.”
“As a health service there have been many important improvements in addressing the healthcare needs of the LGBTI+ community in recent years, but more can be done.”
“As doctors, we must continue to work for our patients’ needs and fulfil our ethical role as advocates for patient needs.”
“Doctors should avail of training programmes, courses and workshops to ensure they are aware of the healthcare needs of the LGBTI+ community, while also making themselves aware of the needs of the various groups in the LGBTI+ community such as the trans community, older LGBTI+ people, LGBTI+ migrants and refugees, LGBTI+ members of the travelling community and the young LGBTI+ community.”
“There are some excellent courses and workshops available for doctors and healthcare professionals provided by the HSE, postgraduate training bodies, universities, advocacy groups and charities.”
“Good communication skills are key in caring for and treating patients and these skills must be developed throughout a doctor’s career. By continuing to build on their communication skills and attending courses and webinars, doctors can learn how to better care for patients and their loved ones and to communicate in a meaningful way. It is essential that doctors respect their patients and use the correct terminology and pronouns which the patient identifies with.”
“I strongly encourage doctors to participate in these courses when they can,” concluded Dr Crowe.
Medical Council CEO, Mr Leo Kearns, said: “LGBTI+ patients have a right to be treated with respect and understanding, in the same way as all patients should be treated.”
“Likewise, doctors and other healthcare workers who are part of the LGBTI+ community, should be treated with respect by patients and those using health services.”
“Furthermore, the workplace a doctor practices in should enable doctors and their patients to feel comfortable, regardless of their sexuality, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics. There should be a respect for diversity which acknowledges and values the diversity of identities and perspectives of people within the entire LGBTI+ community.”
“The National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 highlights the importance of those in healthcare roles being trained to understand the identities and needs of their LGBTI+ patients, and this is something the Medical Council strongly encourages all doctors to do,” concluded Mr Kearns.