Source: JAMA Internal Medicine
Contributors: Haider, A.H., Schenider, E.B., Kodadek, L.M., Adler R.R., Ranjit, A., Torain, M., Shields, R.Y., Snyder, C., Schuur, J.D., German, D., Peterson, S., & Lau, B.D.
Topic: Data Collection/Evaluation, Demographic or Census Data
The Emergency Department Query for Patient-Centered Approaches to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (EQUALITY) conducted a study that demonstrated that most Americans are willing to disclose sexual orientation in the ED setting. Routine collection of data on sexual orientation is important not only for individual patients but also for normalization of LGB individuals within the broader society. Routine collection of sexual orientation data from all patients signals normalization of LGB minorities within society, and both patients and clinicians identify nonverbal self-report as the preferred method of collection. The US Department of Health and Human Services and the Institutes of Medicine now recommend routine collection of sexual orientation data in federally funded population health surveys and in electronic health records.