Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clinical competence of health professionals in Poland and Spain: results of the health exclusion research in Europe (HERE) study
Abstract Introduction Health disparities experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals have been partially attributed to healthcare professionals’ lack of cultural competence in addressing their specific needs. This study aimed to assess the differences in competencies an...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06744-4 |
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| author | Piotr Karniej Anthony Dissen Łukasz Pietrzykowski Raúl Juárez-Vela Antonio Martinez Sabater Janina Kulińska Jakub Zieliński Michał Czapla |
| author_facet | Piotr Karniej Anthony Dissen Łukasz Pietrzykowski Raúl Juárez-Vela Antonio Martinez Sabater Janina Kulińska Jakub Zieliński Michał Czapla |
| author_sort | Piotr Karniej |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Health disparities experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals have been partially attributed to healthcare professionals’ lack of cultural competence in addressing their specific needs. This study aimed to assess the differences in competencies and preparedness among health professionals from Poland and Spain when working with LGBT patients. Methodology Data were collected between June and August 2024 through a cross-sectional survey involving 673 health professionals (Mage = 33.54, SD = 9.74; 61.5% female), including 273 participants from Spain and 400 from Poland. Participants completed a self-administered survey, which included sociodemographic questions and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Development of Clinical Skills Scale (LGBT-DOCSS). Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze predictors of clinical preparedness, attitudes, and knowledge regarding LGBT care. Clinical trial number: not applicable. Results Spanish health professionals showed higher total LGBT-DOCSS scores compared to Polish participants (B = 0.503, p < 0.001). Gender was a significant predictor, with men scoring higher in clinical preparedness (B = 0.771, p = 0.002), while women scored higher in attitudes (B = -0.457, p < 0.001). In Poland, age was positively correlated with clinical preparedness (B = 0.034, p = 0.022), and physicians scored significantly higher in overall competency compared to nurses/midwives (B = 0.621, p = 0.005). Participation in LGBT-related training was associated with higher clinical preparedness in both countries, with those attending training 3 or more times scoring higher than those who never attended (B = 1.659, p < 0.001). Conclusion The study revealed significant differences in LGBT competency between Polish and Spanish health professionals. Factors such as gender, age, profession, and participation in LGBT-related training were associated with these competencies. Results suggest that a more tailored approach in professional education and training may be necessary to ensure all health workers possess adequate skills and attitudes toward LGBT care. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-da5d7e5977ba4e3298888f952a003dd7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-da5d7e5977ba4e3298888f952a003dd72025-02-02T12:29:30ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202025-01-0125111210.1186/s12909-025-06744-4Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clinical competence of health professionals in Poland and Spain: results of the health exclusion research in Europe (HERE) studyPiotr Karniej0Anthony Dissen1Łukasz Pietrzykowski2Raúl Juárez-Vela3Antonio Martinez Sabater4Janina Kulińska5Jakub Zieliński6Michał Czapla7Faculty of Economics, WSB MERITO University in WroclawSchool of Health Sciences, Stockton UniversityDepartment of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Health Promotion, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńGroup of Research in Care and Health (GRUPAC), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of La RiojaGroup of Research in Care and Health (GRUPAC), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of La RiojaDivision of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wroclaw Medical UniversityDepartment of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Wroclaw Medical UniversityGroup of Research in Care and Health (GRUPAC), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of La RiojaAbstract Introduction Health disparities experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals have been partially attributed to healthcare professionals’ lack of cultural competence in addressing their specific needs. This study aimed to assess the differences in competencies and preparedness among health professionals from Poland and Spain when working with LGBT patients. Methodology Data were collected between June and August 2024 through a cross-sectional survey involving 673 health professionals (Mage = 33.54, SD = 9.74; 61.5% female), including 273 participants from Spain and 400 from Poland. Participants completed a self-administered survey, which included sociodemographic questions and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Development of Clinical Skills Scale (LGBT-DOCSS). Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze predictors of clinical preparedness, attitudes, and knowledge regarding LGBT care. Clinical trial number: not applicable. Results Spanish health professionals showed higher total LGBT-DOCSS scores compared to Polish participants (B = 0.503, p < 0.001). Gender was a significant predictor, with men scoring higher in clinical preparedness (B = 0.771, p = 0.002), while women scored higher in attitudes (B = -0.457, p < 0.001). In Poland, age was positively correlated with clinical preparedness (B = 0.034, p = 0.022), and physicians scored significantly higher in overall competency compared to nurses/midwives (B = 0.621, p = 0.005). Participation in LGBT-related training was associated with higher clinical preparedness in both countries, with those attending training 3 or more times scoring higher than those who never attended (B = 1.659, p < 0.001). Conclusion The study revealed significant differences in LGBT competency between Polish and Spanish health professionals. Factors such as gender, age, profession, and participation in LGBT-related training were associated with these competencies. Results suggest that a more tailored approach in professional education and training may be necessary to ensure all health workers possess adequate skills and attitudes toward LGBT care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06744-4LGBTClinical competenceSexual and gender minoritiesHealth KnowledgeLGBT Health |
| spellingShingle | Piotr Karniej Anthony Dissen Łukasz Pietrzykowski Raúl Juárez-Vela Antonio Martinez Sabater Janina Kulińska Jakub Zieliński Michał Czapla Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clinical competence of health professionals in Poland and Spain: results of the health exclusion research in Europe (HERE) study BMC Medical Education LGBT Clinical competence Sexual and gender minorities Health Knowledge LGBT Health |
| title | Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clinical competence of health professionals in Poland and Spain: results of the health exclusion research in Europe (HERE) study |
| title_full | Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clinical competence of health professionals in Poland and Spain: results of the health exclusion research in Europe (HERE) study |
| title_fullStr | Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clinical competence of health professionals in Poland and Spain: results of the health exclusion research in Europe (HERE) study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clinical competence of health professionals in Poland and Spain: results of the health exclusion research in Europe (HERE) study |
| title_short | Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clinical competence of health professionals in Poland and Spain: results of the health exclusion research in Europe (HERE) study |
| title_sort | lesbian gay bisexual and transgender clinical competence of health professionals in poland and spain results of the health exclusion research in europe here study |
| topic | LGBT Clinical competence Sexual and gender minorities Health Knowledge LGBT Health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06744-4 |
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