LGBTQ Medical Education Research Group–

Project: Comparing Dean and Student Perspectives on LGBT Medical Education

Project: Comparing Dean and Student Perspectives on LGBT Medical Education
Aims/Objectives
  • Compare perspectives of Deans and students regarding LGBT-related content in medical curricula.
  • Understand which LGBT-related topic areas, according to both Deans and students, may be in particular need of increased coverage.
  • Determine potential methods of addressing gaps in LGBT-related content in medical education.
Overview Triangulating data is a key scientific strategy for confirming findings, especially in under-researched areas such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) health and health care education. We will compare perspectives of students and Deans of medical education on their institutions' LGBT-related curricular content, identify areas for improvement, and suggest evidence-based actions to address these areas.
Data Source We developed and administered two complementary questionnaires at allopathic and osteopathic medical schools in Canada and the United States:
  • A 2009-2010 novel web-based survey of deans of medical education.
  • A 2009-2010 novel web-based survey of medical students.
Partners/Collaborators
  • Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
  • American Medical Association: Medical Students Section
  • American Medical Association: Advisory Committee, GLBT Issues
  • American Association of Medical Colleges
  • American Association of Medical Colleges: Committee on Diversity Affairs
  • American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
  • American Medical Student Association
  • Student Osteopathic Medical Association
  • Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents
  • Canadian Federation of Medical Students
Related Literature
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LGBT MERG Presentations, Abstracts, and Publications Data in this paper were presented at the 2011 Western Group on Educational Affairs (WGEA) AAMC Western Regional Conference, 2010 AAMC Research in Medical Education (RIME) Conference, 2010 AAMC GSA/GDI/OSR National Spring Meeting, 2010 Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) Conference, 2010 Harvard Medical School Medical Education Day, 2010 Stanford University Medical Student Research Symposium, and 2010 Stanford Medical School Fall Community Health Symposium.

These data will also be presented at the 2011 AAMC RIME Conference.
LGBT MERG Contact Elizabeth Goldsmith

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