WMJ Vol 124 Issue 1: Evaluation of LGBTQ+ Health Education in the Preclinical Curriculum at a Public Midwest Medical School

ABSTRACT

Introduction: People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) face health disparities and negative health care experiences. Medical student education may be leveraged as a strategy to improve care for these patients; however, studies suggest gaps in current LGBTQ+ health education.

Objective: This project sought to evaluate how LGBTQ+ health is taught in the preclinical curriculum at a Midwest medical school.

Methods: The institution’s curriculum repository was searched systematically for materials that included information on LGBTQ+ health used in preclinical courses in the 2021-2022 academic year. Information was compiled based on previously utilized evaluation tools and additional measurements developed by the authors to provide further clarity.

Results: Seventy items were identified in the curriculum repository; 38 (54%) were required for students to review. Commonly addressed topics include communication skills, terminology, and variations in sex characteristics. Topic gaps identified include mental health, cancer screening, and gender-affirming care. Among the 33 clinical skills sessions in the preclinical curriculum, 5 standardized patient cases included LGBTQ+ patient representation.

Conclusions: There was variability in coverage of LGBTQ+ health topics, with particularly more on language and variations in sex characteristics and less on mental health, cancer screening, and gender-affirming care. This study identifies opportunities to improve LGBTQ+ health education and demonstrates a framework that may be applied to evaluate curricula in other programs, to ideally enhance coverage of this material and, ultimately, improve care of LGBTQ+ patients.

Intended Audience

The intended audience for this continuing education activity is healthcare professionals caring for the people of Wisconsin and beyond.

Learning Objectives

As a result of participating in this journal-based activity, healthcare team members will be able to:

  1. Elaborate on the role of medical education in improving healthcare experiences and outcomes for LGBTQ+ populations.
  2. Summarize the findings from a curriculum material review of LGBTQ+ health-related content for preclinical students.
  3. Discuss a framework that may be applied to evaluate LGBTQ+ health curriculum content in medical schools.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AAPA Category 1 CME
  • 1.00 ACPE Contact Hours - Pharmacist
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 ANCC Contact Hours
  • 1.00 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
    • 1.00 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Registration opens: 
03/10/2026
Course expires: 
03/09/2027
Cost:
$0.00
Part of: 
Wisconsin Medical Journal Volume 124
Rating: 
0

FACULTY DISCLOSURE

It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP) to identify, mitigate and disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* held by the  speakers/presenters, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence the content of this accredited continuing education (CE). In addition, speakers, presenters and authors must disclose any planned discussion of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices during their presentation.

For this accredited continuing education activity all relevant financial relationships have been mitigated and detailed disclosures are listed below.

Name of IndividualIndividual's Role in ActivityFinancial Relationship DisclosureDiscussion of Unlabeled/Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices
Marianna Shershneva, MD, PhDAccreditation SpecialistNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
James Eberhard, MFAAccreditation SpecialistNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Tess I. Jewell, BAAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Elizabeth M. Petty, MDAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Jennifer E. Lochner, MDReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Marianna Shershneva, MD, PhDReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Amy Zelenski, PhDReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Fahad Aziz, MDEditorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Laura Ozkan, PAReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Jennifer Esch, PharmD, MBA, BCPSReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Sue Wenker, PT, PhD, MS, FNAPReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo

*Ineligible companies are those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on, patients. The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical services directly to patients to be ineligible companies.

Discloser List CME Internal Report

Accreditation and Credit Designation Statements

Accreditation Logos
Accreditation Statements
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP and the Wisconsin Medical Journal.  The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
 

American Medical Association (AMA)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

 

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 1.0 ANCC contact hour.  

American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until 03/09/2027. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

 

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this blended activity for a maximum of 1.0 hours or 0.1 CEUs. Credit can be earned by documented attendance and completing an activity evaluation form. Credit will be provided to NABP CPE Monitor within 60 days after the activity completion. 

Universal Activity Number (UAN): JA0000358-XXXX-YR-XXX-LXX-P; JA0000358-XXXX-YR-XXX-LXX-T

 

Continuing Education Units

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP, as a member of the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), authorizes this program for 0.1 continuing education units (CEUs) or 1 hour.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AAPA Category 1 CME
  • 1.00 ACPE Contact Hours - Pharmacist
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 ANCC Contact Hours
  • 1.00 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
    • 1.00 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or register to take this course.

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