The Consortium is a network of providers and partners working to address gaps in healthcare for LGBTQ+ people in West Michigan.
Executive Director Jenny Knight says the toolkit provides evidence-based guidance on sexual health issues and supports conversations among youth, families and clinicians.
“This particular topic is very sensitive, and it can be very touchy and people get uncomfortable with it. But this is a tool to keep people safe. Teen pregnancies in Michigan have dropped drastically since the early 2000s. STIs have not.”
The toolkit’s healthcare provider section offers information for filling out a patient intake form, specifically, the sexual health history portion. Knight cites 50-80% of LGBTQ+ patient charts are left blank or incomplete.
“That often means that providers make assumptions. So, if, say, you’re heterosexual, they automatically will assume you're having sex with somebody that's the opposite sex of you, and so they don't ask questions, and that's a huge missed opportunity.”
Knight says clinicians should learn how to ask the right questions, so patients feel comfortable being honest about their sexuality.
“Healthcare providers can't keep people safe if they don't have the information.”
To access the Sexual Health Toolkit – Youth, visit:
https://www.grlgbtqhealthcareconsortium.org/sh-youth
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