He/She/They - gender inclusivity in developing and using health-related questionnaires: a scoping review

Abstract

Purpose

To ensure the recognition and participation of all potential respondents in health research, surveys and care, including LGBTQIA + broadly, and trans people, specifically, the use of inclusive language should be considered. This scoping review aimed to identify and describe strategies considered for gender inclusivity in development and use of health questionnaires and Patient Reported Outcomes Measures (PROMs).

Methods

A systematic search of peer reviewed publications between January 2000 and September 2022 was conducted in Scopus, ProQuest Central, Ovid Medline (PubMed and EBSCO). Two reviewers independently screened identified publications titles and abstracts, followed by full text screening and data extraction from eligible articles.

Results

The search of over 5000 publications, retained 18; most acknowledged gaps in representation and advocated for gender-inclusive language. Eight articles discussed exclusion from health care and health research for gender minority groups due to the use of gendered language. Improved reliability, validity and response rates were associated with the use of gender-neutral language in seven articles. Only one article reported finding irritation among cisgender males when non-binary gender response options were used. One paper, focussing on instruments for Rheumatoid Arthritis, discussed gaps in representation if diverse gender identities were not considered when developing PROMs.

Conclusion

This scoping review points to the importance of adopting gender-inclusive language in health questionnaires and surveys to reduce the risk of excluding gender minority groups. Despite finding very few specific examples of how others have used gender-inclusive language in health questionnaires, many strengths of gender-inclusive language usage were identified.

Abstract

People from the LGBTQIA + communities are often excluded from health research and from completing heath surveys as they are not able to identify with the questions about male or female genders. This scoping review aimed to examine the literature for any strategies developers of health questionnaires may have come up with to ensure inclusion of all demographic groups. Most of the identified literature highlights the importance of adopting gender-inclusive language in health questionnaires to reduce the risk of excluding gender minority groups. Despite many strengths of gender-inclusive language usage being identified, only a few specific examples were identified of how others have used gender-inclusive language in health questionnaires.