Building Inclusive Healthcare for LGBTQ+ Youth: Improving the Collection and Utilization of Patients’ Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Information, Preferred Names and Gender Pronouns in a Pediatric Clinic

Background Transgender and gender diverse youth are more likely than their peers to experience poor physical health and are at higher risk of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide [1]. They often have had negative healthcare experiences related to being transgender and gender non-binary (TGNB), including being refused treatment, verbally harassed, physically or sexually assaulted [2]. Fifty percent reported having to teach their provider about TGNB people in order to get appropriate care [3] and another study found that 80% of pediatricians did not ask about sexual orientation during a well visit [4]. Research shows LGBTQ youth value the opportunity to discuss their gender and sexuality with their healthcare provider [6] and addressing TGNB youth by their chosen or preferred name is associated with decreased rates of depression and suicide [5]. Therefore, asking questions about sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) is a vital step in the affirmation of a patient’s identity, building of rapport, and can be life saving. At the Mount Sinai Pediatric Associates clinic there is no standardized collection of SOGI information or gender pronouns. We set out to address this need by creating a standardized process for educating pediatric physicians and staff with the goal of increasing their knowledge, skills, and ability to collect, document, and utilize SOGI information.