Question

Based on the New York Times article "Gay and Transgender Patients to Doctors: We'll Tell. Just Ask." ( https://nyti.ms/2seU9JI ) and any other relevant literature, discuss why you believe healthcare providers often “skip” the sexual orientation question. Furthermore, what do you suggest can/should be done to make it easier to disclose the information and open the line of communication? How may it improve care?

Answer 1

Initially ,it is not good to ask the sexual identity of the patient ,until unless it is an emergency procedure.

Any person with an issue of sexual identification do not feel comfortable to accept the treatment and disclose the information, on the other hand it is not so important for a health care provider to know the gender in providing the care..

Yes ofcourse Doctors and nurses are encouraged to ask, and patients can self-report if they can find the questionnaire on online portals , which makes easier to disclose the information.

Simply include sexual orientation as part of routine demographics on E.D. intake forms, in an email. This gets the doctors and nurses the information they need and everyone is comfortable. so that develops therapeutic communication and improves care.