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. DESIGN: A mailed questionnaire study using closed and open-ended questions, with an analysis using both quantitative and qualitative methods. SETTING: The city of Göteborg, Sweden. SUBJECTS: GPs working in the city of Göteborg. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.