It is important that healthcare is accessible for all patients. Part of providing quality healthcare for all is ensuring providers are equipped with the social knowledge required to treat their community. A significant proportion of our population and patient base are 2SLGBTQIA+ people. When these patients attend healthcare spaces they, too, deserve to be respected, heard, and empowered.

Things clinic spaces can do to help promote safer environments include 

• visuals: stickers, pronoun pin, pronouns in bios, pride flag

• updating intake forms: space for pronouns, assigned sex at birth, name (not just legal name!)

• refer to patients (pronouns and name) how they say to (collect this info on intake forms, “how may I refer to you?”)

• be familiar with general terminology regarding 2SLGBTQIA+ (eg. What these letters stand for!)

• be familiar with 2SLGBTQIA+ related health concerns (eg. Gender confirming surgery and scar tissue care)

• advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ patient when communicating with other healthcare providers 

• be open to feedback and suggestions from 2SLGBTQIA+ patients on how we can further improve our spaces

The priority of healthcare providers is the promotion and preservation of health for all patients. As providers, patients, and clients we can all be a voice for fellow community members to ensure healthcare becomes a safer place for all.

To book an appointment with Mekenna Bowers click HERE