GPs and lesbian women in the consultation: issues of awareness and knowledge.
OBJECTIVE
To study awareness of having lesbian women in the consultation among general practitioners (GPs) and their knowledge of lesbian health-related issues.


METHODS
A mailed questionnaire study using closed and open-ended questions, with an analysis using both quantitative and qualitative methods.


METHODS
The city of Göteborg, Sweden.


METHODS
GPs working in the city of Göteborg.


METHODS
Frequencies are presented for closed questions. Open-ended questions are categorised and illustrated by citations.


RESULTS
The response rate was 52%, but only 37% were aware of having had any lesbian patients despite many years in practice. Five per cent had ever asked their patients about sexual identity, and most questions concerning social network were put in terms of the heterosexual, nuclear family. Eleven per cent knew of any health issues relevant to lesbian women, but half of all informants declared an interest in learning more.


CONCLUSIONS
Unreflected assumptions of heterosexuality and use of heterosexist concepts may work together in keeping the lesbian patient invisible to health care. Medical education needs to include issues of gender and sexual identity/orientation in the curriculum, and to address the health effects of marginalisation.
Westerståhl
Anna
A
Department of Primary Health Care, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Sweden. anna.westerstahl@allmed.gu.se
Segesten
Kerstin
K
Björkelund
Cecilia
C
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001364:Awareness; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018452:Homosexuality, Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden