Indian Medical Students’ Perceptions of their LGBTQ Health Training

Description

Page: 339-347

Hector Peguero¹, Dionne P. Stephens², Vijaya Srinivas³, Amara Dowdell⁴, Anamaria Pedraza Orjuela⁵, and Juan Sebastian Castillo Perez⁶ (Department of Psychology, Florida, International University, Florida, US¹,²,⁴,⁵,⁶ and The Public Health Research Institute of India, Mysore, Karnataka³)

The current study examines medical students reported attitudes about their current medical training experiences and desired knowledge about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) health issues within India. Members of a medical college in the state of Karnataka, India, were recruited to complete a questionnaire examining perspectives about medical students in India and their knowledge, education, and training, specifically on LGBTQ individuals. This study included open-ended questions focused on the perspectives of medical students in India and their knowledge, education, and training, specifically on LGBTQ individuals. A total of 198 participants in different medical-related classes ages 19-35 completed the open-ended questions about their perceptions of current medical training focused on LGBTQ patients. Most participants reported the need for education and training related to LGBTQ sexual minorities. It was also suggested by the participants that education has to start with the training of professors in the field and the necessity to stop stigmas related to this community.