CCSF 2-5-22

LGBTQ+ Medical Case Scenarios: An Experiential Learning Perspective

This presentation consisted of reviewing LGBTQ+ medical case scenarios through the lens of City College of San Francisco medical interpreter students. Due to COVID-19, class was held over zoom. Each of the students read and studied three LGBTQ+ themed vignettes and associated discussion points before class. This allowed for a robust, highly interactive class discussion over zoom on how medical interpreters can collaborate with clinicians in providing more culturally competent care to the LGBTQ+ community.

The audience consisted of medical interpreter students.

Audience feedback/impact of this presentation:

Feedback #1

“Dr. Holt is amazing! He taught all of us so much. You can

definitely tell that he enjoys doing what he does. The way he

would answer our questions or concerns. I have never ever felt

so comfortable talking or sharing my thoughts on such a

difficult topic. Love the examples he would give us on how he

would act towards a specific situation.”

Most important thing(s) I learned:

● How to let those who are struggling to come out know that no

matter what, they are important to you and that you will always

love them. That regardless of anything you will always be there

for them. Giving them comfort and making them feel safe.

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will have on you or your

interactions with others

● How it is so difficult for some to actually come out. The struggle

that they face because of fear of what will happen to them or

who they would lose in life because of who they like or how they

see themselves. The amount of stress, depression & even

suicide that people face because of fear or how they will be

judge or accepted.

Feedback #2

“Very informative.”

Most important thing(s) I learned:

I learned how important medical interpreters are for this role and how they can change the dynamic of the medical office.

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will have on you or your interactions with others.

I may not be able to advocate for this group of people but at least through this session I gain some knowledge and can be compassionate towards their struggle.  

Feedback #3

“The vignettes were an awesome way to present and start today’s class.  Even though I consider myself a very open person, I still learned a lot just from the vignettes alone.   In each vignette we went through, there were aspects I had not thought of personally or realized until either we discussed in our tiny groups or as a whole class.  It was great to hear what others said and to learn from you alternate ways to encounter a patient/person best.   They were real life scenarios we would encounter and opened my mind even more.” 

Most important thing(s) I learned:

The difference between sex & gender.  

The clarification of an individual’s orientation based on gender and not on sex.  

Explanation of cisgender as I have heard it being used a lot more recently. 

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will have on you or your interactions with others

Today’s activity made me think a lot more about my interactions with family, friends, and kids I know that have come out to me.  I never really thought of myself as being “safe” person as I am just me being me but the fact they have chosen me to come out or discuss their preferences it is such a privilege and hopefully have impacted their lives/know I am always here for them. Also, what today taught me is how I will change my first interaction with someone with more thought and intention.  

Feedback #4

“The case study in healthcare setting was the most helpful.  I’m familiar with many LGBTIA+ terms but little idea of their challenges in healthcare setting that has historically been catered to heterosexual.”

Most important thing(s) I learned:

The right way to call their sexual orientation after they have transitioned.

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will have on you or your interactions with others

I will be even more sensitive to their needs and able to educate the others of the continued plight of the LGBT. These vignettes have imprinted in my memory that allow me to imagine their unique healthcare experiences and be more compassionate. 

Feedback #5

“I have a lot of respect for the LGBTQ

community. I have a lot of friends that

are Gay and Homosexual and have

been in denial with their family because

in the latin culture, their is a a lot of

machismo in the community. I have even

have friends that have commited suicide

because they were not accepted in their

families. I am so sorry to hear of all the

obstacles you had to overcome.”

Most important thing(s) I learned:

1. Thank you, I have learned a lot of information I

did not know about the different types of gender

identities. Their has been times that I did not

even know how to identify a Queer person

and Heterosexual person. I always wondered

why people would say she/her.

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will

have on you or your interactions with others

1. I really did not have any impact because I have

always accepted the LGBTQ Community and, I

just wish same sex partners could have the

privillage to adopt children and be treated fairly

and have same opportunities as anybody else.

Feedback #6

“Thank you for your time, I really enjoyed”

Most important thing(s) I learned:

What I learned today is how LGBTQ+ is activism. How during these years the community has overcome oppression and discrimination. But together the LGBTQ+ community have overcome the obstacle by staying together and solidarity.

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will have on you or your interactions with others

I learn to have more empathy, also to appreciate people’s bravery, when a person is open about their sexual orientation, it is not easy to do it. 

Feedback #7

Most important thing(s) I learned:

“The most important thing I learned is the distinction between each different sexual orientation that now is part of today’s generation. The way to address them. To understand how the healthcare system is a very important part of their self-care. They have rights as everyone to receive healthcare.”

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will have on you or your interactions with others

The impact which I took from class and the activities is how to have compassion toward people with different identities. I learn how to address people of different sexual orientation and understand the position they must be at in order to offer the best care possible. Seeing that they suffered from disparity at times.

My interactions will be filled with good intention to help all, regardless of sexual gender, receive the proper healthcare they deserve.  

Feedback #8

“Really interesting vignettes, and very helpful in terms of allowing us to understand and see through the experience of others, and to consider how our actions (including what we say), even if unintended, can have a negative impact on others. Especially impactful to me was the one about the female-to-male transgender man attending the gynecology appointment. I could see how difficult the experience of getting medical care would be for someone like him, and how uninclusive spaces like these can be, not to mention the negative consequences this can have on their health.”

Most important thing(s) I learned:

It reaffirmed in me the need to be compassionate and mindful of the influence (both negative and positive) we might have on others. It was also very instructive to discuss appropriate ways we could show our support to someone we think might be struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity, and how we might go about making them feel comfortable about to talking to us without pressuring them or outing them before they are ready.

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will have on you or your interactions with others

I will continue to educate myself about LGBTQ issues and struggles to find better ways to be an ally and advocate. Thank you, Dr. Holt, for facilitating this discussion, it was very instructive helpful.

Feedback #9

“Thank you for your visit and calling to our attention this important facet within our service to the public.

The vignettes were thorough, very well written, and revealing.”

Most important thing(s) I learned:

Although I figured they’d be high, I’d no idea the suicide attempt rate for transgender people would be as high as 9 times more than likely than cisgender people.  Nor did I know over 40% of transgender people have attempted suicide by 25.

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will have on you or your interactions with others

I will be even more open-minded and keenly aware of people’s fears of coming out, and will try to make sure they feel welcome and entitled to our services wherever it is I’m working.

Feedback #10

“These three cases are very typical, which are a young Latino who is unwilling to admit his sexual orientation, a teenager going through difficulties recognizing himself, and a trans man feeling humiliated in a public place. They cover the dilemmas that LGBTQIA usually encounter.”

Most important thing(s) I learned:

The most important thing I learned was that it made me understand the group more.

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will have on you or your interactions with others

It is very useful that I know how to have safe conversation with people that I don’s know well.

Feedback #11

“A very interest topic, it opens my mind a lot.”

Most important thing(s) I learned:

How to get along with different minority group by not using offensive phrases.

Feedback #12

“These vignettes are brutally realistic, I could never imagine what LGBTQ+ community has been through.”

Most important thing(s) I learned:

An open-mind is required when facing any problems, but especially LGBTQ+-related issues. Always try to understand before assuming the issues.

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will have on you or your interactions with others

With an open-mind and open-arms.

Feedback #13

“Very informative session. The case studies allowed me to understand more about their challenges if the society do not accept their gender identity.”

Most important thing(s) I learned:

What you can do or say to make them feel inclusive

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will have on you or your interactions with others.

I feel less confusion about how to address them. At the same time, it would make them feel easier and be more opened when they feel they are inclusive.

Feedback #14

“I really liked how they incorporated characters and topics that are relevant to the times. I think medical offices and hospitals should have more trainings such as today’s, they usually focus more on other things such as sexual harassment but not on topics such as what was covered today. If staff is more aware and can be more sensitive towards individuals it could be a step towards making doctor offices and hospitals feel more welcoming to LGBTQ community.”

Most important thing(s) I learned: 

It’s very important not to assume a person is a certain gender. 

Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.

Sometimes we can be insensitive and unintentionally hurt people with our choice of words.

Be more aware of other’s view of gender and find more ways to learn about the subject matter. Gender is not black or white. 

The importance of using and asking about pronouns. I never fully understood the importance until today.

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will have on you or your interactions with others.

I will try my best to educate other people that I encounter who maybe don’t know how to refer to a certain individual or make ignorant comments.

I will talk to my kids and reinstate to them that I love them always and unconditionally and remind them that they can talk to me about anything anytime.

Feedback #15

“Very informative! Now, I have a better understanding with the

concepts of LGBTQ and the issues that they may be faced.”

Most important thing(s) I learned:

– Be inclusive, understanding, and empathy always.

– Learned the meaning of on the downlow (DL)

– Learned the meaning of gender nonconformity, genderqueer,

and cisgender

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will

have on you or your interactions with others

– Embrace the opportunity for people to express their struggles.

Feedback #16

“I enjoyed Dr. Holt’s talk.  Very informative! I learned a lot today.”

Most important thing(s) I learned:

I learned to be comfortable talking this subject.

I learned the way to work with LGBTQI communities.

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will have on you or your interactions with others

Yes, I have more confident discussing with LGBTQI communities and discuss their common health challenges.

Feedback #17

“The presentation was enjoyable and very informative.”

Most important thing(s) I learned:

I learned about the impact that our words can have when addressing the LGBTI community. 

It was very helpful going over the different scenarios and what we could say in different situations. 

Please state what impact, if any, today’s activity will have on you or your interactions with others

I will use gender neutral terms.

I will be mindful in choosing appropriate words when talking to an individual from the LGBQTI community.

I will continue to be an active ally