An Active Learning Module Teaching Advanced Communication Skills to Care for Sexual Minority Youth in Clinical Medical Education

Abstract

Introduction

Expert recommendations state that all physicians caring for youth should be trained in providing competent and nonjudgmental care for sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth. Despite those recommendations, there is insufficient training to prepare clinicians to provide culturally competent care for SGM youth. We created a 2-hour session to address communication skills critical to caring for SGM youth. The goals of the session were for third- and fourth-year medical learners to affirm, validate, and assess the mental health status of their patient, collaborate with a school counselor, support families in acceptance of SGM children, and provide them with relevant resources.

Methods

The session utilized multiple active learning modalities including flipped classroom, small-group learning, and peer-to-peer instruction. Learners completed anonymous pre- and postsurveys that aimed to measure their comfort, self-efficacy, and self-reported preparedness in counseling adolescents questioning their sexual orientation.

Results

Of the 42 learners who participated in the course over two academic terms, 40 (95%) completed the presurvey, and 39 (93%) completed the postsurvey. Learners demonstrated a significant improvement in self-reported knowledge, comfort, and sense of preparedness on all skill-based objectives and reported growth in their comfort and sense of preparedness for counseling adolescents questioning their sexual orientation after participating in the session ( p < .001).

Discussion

This session supports the development of key communication skills needed to provide competent and nonjudgmental care for SGM youth. It can be easily replicated at other health professional schools looking to improve the cultural competency of future clinicians around care for SGM patients.