RSS Feeds
Truthfulness and Personal Disclosure in the Physician–Patient Relationship
IN RESPONSE:
I agree that physicians must be truthful to earn the trust of their patients, and that trust is the bedrock of a healthy physician–patient relationship. This is precisely the reason for my distress with the patient interaction I described.
However, the issue of patient and physician perception in regard to sexual orientation is complicated. A 1994 national survey of gay and lesbian physicians revealed that 67% felt they “would jeopardize their practices if their colleagues learned they are lesbian, gay, or bisexual” and 75% felt they “would jeopardize their practices if their patients learned they are lesbian, gay, or bisexual” (1).
At least 2 further studies of patients' attitudes on this issue seem to support this apprehension on the part of physicians. Lee and colleagues (2) found that many of the 502 patient respondents in a national survey indicated that they would change health care providers if they found out their provider was gay or lesbian (30.4%) or would change practices if gay or lesbian providers were employed there (35.4%). Another study, published in 1998, found that 11.8% of respondents would refuse to see a gay or lesbian physician, the most common reasons being fears of incompetence and worries about feeling “uncomfortable” (3).
Estimates suggest that several hundred thousand gay or lesbian providers practice in the United States. Therefore, this issue can affect many patients, families, and their providers. I hope my essay, your letters, a continuing dialogue, and further studies will foster greater understanding among patients, physicians, communities, and society in regard to this issue.
Article and Author Information
-
Potential Financial Conflicts of Interest: None disclosed.
