Family physicians attitudes towards LGBTİ individuals

Introduction and aim: LGBTI individuals are exposed to oppression and discrimination in society. Not receiving adequate health care is one of the most frequently cited types of discrimination. The most important factor in these individuals' access to healthcare is the attitude of healthcare professionals. Our study aimed to determine the attitude of family physicians working in primary care, which is the gateway to health care, towards LGBTI individuals and the effect of this attitude on clinical behavior. Materials and Methods: The study was planned as a cross-sectional. A survey form was sent via e-mail to family physicians working all over Turkey, and the study was conducted with 403 participants who answered the form. An attitude scale towards LGBTI individuals and a survey form prepared by the researcher were applied to the participants. Data were analyzed with SPSS (24.0) program. Results: In our study, it was observed that the general attitudes of family physicians towards LGBTI individuals were positive. Being a woman, being a family medicine specialist, being single, having received training on LGBTI health, and having a patient who is known/thought to be LGBTI were found to be associated with more positive attitudes. Participants with high scale scores, that is, those with negative attitudes, stated that they were more likely to refer these patients to the clinic, that their complaints were related to their sexual orientation, and that they were more likely to exaggerate their complaints. It was also observed that these patients stated that they would pay more attention to personal protective measures during their examination. When screenings, which are the foundations of preventive medicine, were questioned, it was observed that participants with negative attitudes towards LGBTI individuals were less likely to provide mental health screenings, STD screenings, alcohol and substance use disorder screenings, and counseling services regarding safe sexual behavior. Conclusion: In our study, it was seen that family physicians' attitudes towards LGBTI individuals were positive. Significant differences in clinical behavior were observed between physicians with more negative attitudes and physicians with positive attitudes. Receiving vii education on LGBTI health and having encountered these individuals were associated with more positive attitudes. It is important to add courses on LGBTI health to the curriculum during medical school or assistantship education so that LGBTI individuals can receive services for their needs equally with all individuals, without being marginalized. At the same time, what can be done to create the perception of a tolerant environment where these individuals can express themselves without hiding in primary care may be the subject of another study. Keywords: Primary care, family medicine, LGBTI, attitude