Target Audience

Healthcare professionals.

Educational Need

Healthcare professionals often lack formal training in taking sexual histories from LGBTQIA+ patients in a culturally sensitive and affirming manner. Many providers may be unfamiliar with appropriate terminology, inclusive communication strategies, and the unique sexual health concerns of LGBTQIA+ individuals. This gap in knowledge and skills can lead to patient discomfort, incomplete histories, missed diagnoses, and disparities in care. Providers can foster trust, ensure accurate assessments, and deliver equitable, patient-centered care to LGBTQIA+ communities by improving competency in gender-affirming language and inclusive history-taking frameworks.

Description

This educational activity equips healthcare professionals with the skills to take a comprehensive sexual history of LGBTQIA+ patients using a culturally sensitive and patient-centered approach. Participants will explore an appropriate framework for gathering sexual health information while ensuring inclusivity and respect. The session will emphasize gender-affirming language and terminology to foster open, nonjudgmental conversations that enhance patient trust and engagement in care. Learners will gain confidence in addressing the diverse needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals while promoting equitable and affirming healthcare experiences.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify an appropriate framework for taking a sexual history from LGBTQ+ patients in a culturally sensitive manner. 
2. Demonstrate appropriate, gender-affirming language and terminology when discussing sexual health.

Speaker

Katie Imborek, MD

Dr. Katie Imborek, a lesbian-identified Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Iowa Health Care, completed her medical training at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. A long-time member of GLMA and WPATH, Dr. Imborek's clinical practice is dedicated entirely to caring for queer people of all ages. As a primary care provider, she offers chronic disease management (including mental health care), wellness and preventive care, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (including PrEP), and gender-affirming hormone management.

Dr. Imborek is the co-founder and co-director of the University of Iowa Health Care LGBTQ+ Clinic, which has provided primary and specialty care to queer-identified patients and their families since 2012. University of Iowa Health Care has been recognized as a Health Equality Index (HEI) leader by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) since 2013. The clinic’s team of providers and clinical staff offers a range of services for transgender and gender-diverse individuals, including hormone management, mental health care (including letters of support when needed), puberty blockers, fertility preservation, male chest reconstruction, orchiectomy, vaginoplasty, vulvoplasty, speech therapy services, hair removal, and facial feminization procedures.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Imborek has co-authored book chapters and research articles on LGBTQ+ health and regularly lectures to medical students, physicians in training, and practicing clinicians on topics related to LGBTQ+ health.