Improving LGBTI primary care through e-learning
We will evaluate the effectiveness of the new I-CARE e-learning program in improving knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviours regarding LGBTI health among primary care physicians in French-speaking Switzerland, and how to adapt it for nurses.
Project description
Compared with the general population, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people are at greater risk of discrimination, have poorer health and experience unmet healthcare needs. In assuming that healthcare inequities are partly due to the lack of significant training on LGBTI health among healthcare professionals, we expect that effective training in this regard can increase access to equitable, culturally appropriate, high-quality care for LGBTI people.
Research aim
Our aim is to evaluate the effectiveness and adequacy of the I-CARE e-learning program among French-speaking primary care physicians in Switzerland. This program covers key concepts (to improve knowledge), features testimonials from LGBTI people (to change attitudes and increase motivation) and illustrates provider-patient interactions based on clinical cases (to improve skills and behaviours). We will also analyse the appropriateness and feasibility of implementing I-CARE among nurses.
Purpose
If proven effective, and given the high proportion of healthcare professionals that can be reached online, the I-CARE program has true transformative potential in terms of improving access to competent healthcare for LGBTI people. The adaptation of I-CARE for German-speaking Switzerland is already planned.
Original title
Improving primary care physicians and nurses’ cultural competence on LGBTI health: Effectiveness of the I-CARE e-learning program