Gathering Data on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Clinical Settings
February 2012 | The Fenway Institute
“"Given the connection between open disclosure of same-sex behavior and health, asking about these issues is integral to providers' ability to care for their LGBT patients."”
This publication addresses the issue of how to obtain sexual orientation and gender identity data in clinical settings. It provides guidance on how to ask questions on patient registration forms and how clinicians can ask questions during medical visits. This second brief addresses concerns about confidentiality with EHRs and other potential barriers to collecting data on LGBT identity. This brief discusses two methods for gathering sexual orientation and gender identity information: asking questions on patient registration forms, and requiring that providers gather this information directly from patients during medical visits.