Through this lesson, I have learned the importance of open communication between a person and their healthcare provider. When a person feels they cannot be open about their gender and sexuality, it can have a negative impact on their health. On the other hand, health professionals who avoid discussing these topics may not have bad intentions. They may simply lack the knowledge or confidence to have these conversations. This highlights the need for more inclusive training for health professionals so they are better equipped to support patients from diverse backgrounds and provide inclusive care.

I work for a big Dental care company and I have never had a single training on Gender and Health Communication. I have brought to my team's attention the fact that we don't have a dedicated space in the forms for pronouns, and that we need to start talking about it and learning how to be more inclusive and accommodating to everyone. A coworker had a situation a couple of weeks ago where she referred to a teen patient using the wrong pronoun and the patient's mom got very upset. I wasn't present, so I don't know the details, but what I know is the conversation I heard in the hallway when I arrive to work the next day, and that made me sad. As my colleague shared with a couple of other team members what had happened, their reaction surprised me. I heard comments such as: "I would simply have said to that mom, I am sorry, but no, it is against my religion!" And "That is crazy! I am not going to change the way I talk because of their nonsense." Unfortunately, many healthcare providers are still struggling to understand that it is not about them and what makes them feel comfortable, or what they believe is right or wrong. It is about providing the best care possible to everyone by creating a welcoming and safe environment where people will feel accepted and cared for, free of judgment. We are not there to judge them, but to care for them!

In the videoSpeaking with Patients About Sexuality and Gender (min 17:52), Dr. David Malebranch talks about Judgement and shares a patient's experience with enduring discomfort and not seeking care, due to a previous encounter with a medical Doctor that judged him. Dr. Malebranch says: "As health care providers we are in a power position, and any kind of small judgmental we say will have a profound impact on how patients access care in the future." (1) To avoid this kind of situation, it's necessary to increase education and awareness in the healthcare industry regarding sexual education and related issues. According to the National Institute of Health, the current state of inadequate training for healthcare professionals can result in inefficient care and unsatisfactory performance. To address this issue, higher-education institutions and healthcare facilities must provide thorough training for their students and professionals. This training should equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively deal with sexual health issues and provide quality care to patients. (2)

In conclusion, investing in education and training in Gender and Sexuality Communication can lead to improved health outcomes and a more inclusive healthcare system. Overall, in my opinion, this lesson highlights the importance of education and training in the healthcare industry to provide comprehensive, effective, and inclusive care.