Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Educational gaps in 2SLGBTQIA+ healthcare: A mixed-methods survey of medical students in Eastern Canada. |
| Authors: |
Bouhamdani, Dominique (AUTHOR), Stadler, Josiane (AUTHOR), Léger, Cynthia (AUTHOR), Doucet, Caroline (AUTHOR), Savoie, Jonathan (AUTHOR), Doiron, Thomas (AUTHOR), Johnson, Claire (AUTHOR), Bouhamdani2, Nadia (AUTHOR) |
| Source: |
Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality. Apr2026, Vol. 35 Issue 1, p120-129. 10p. |
| Subjects: |
Educational standards, School environment, Job qualifications, Health services accessibility, Medical education, Data analysis, LGBTQ+ people, Cultural competence, Medical care, Health occupations students, Kruskal-Wallis Test, Questionnaires, Descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test, Thematic analysis, Curriculum planning, Nursing practice, Clinical competence, Research methodology, One-way analysis of variance, Statistics, Psychology of medical students, Student attitudes, Comparative studies, Factor analysis, Data analysis software, Sexual minorities, Health equity, Self-perception |
| Geographic Terms: |
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick |
| Abstract: |
Sexual and gender minority populations—including Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and others (2SLGBTQIA+)—experience poorer health outcomes and reduced access to equitable care. These inequities are partly linked to inadequate training, as Canadian medical curricula lack standardized 2SLGBTQIA+ competencies. While reforms have been called for, integration remains inconsistent, and little is known about education in Eastern Canada. This study assessed medical students' perceived (a) attitudinal awareness/comfort, (b) knowledge, and (c) preparedness for practice. A mixed-methods survey was conducted with first- through fourth-year medical students in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The instrument included 29 items, two questions on the learning environment, and two open-ended items on curriculum improvement. Attitudinal awareness/comfort (M = 80.1, SD = 16.8) and knowledge (M = 77.7, SD = 30.2) scores were high, but preparedness was low (M = 47.3, SD = 27.0). Comfort was significantly reduced with trans and Two-Spirit patients during oral history taking, χ2(1, N = 59) = 23.1, p <.001; physical examinations, χ2(1, N = 59) = 49.2, p <.001; and genitourinary exams, χ2(1, N = 59) = 63.4, p <.001 when compared to other (non-2SLGBTQIA+) patients. Only 10% felt adequately trained to care for Two-Spirit patients. Students also reported discriminatory comments from residents (44%) and physicians (54%). This first evaluation of 2SLGBTQIA+ curricula in Eastern Canada (New Brunswick and Nova Scotia), and the first to include Two-Spirit peoples, highlights persistent gaps in preparedness and underscores the urgent need for standardized, longitudinal training to improve health equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: |
Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
