On this episode of “Quality Matters” with host Andy Reynolds, we explore the vital role of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) data in healthcare. Our expert guests, Kellan Baker, Executive Director of the Whitman-Walker Institute, and Dr. Carl Streed, a primary care physician at Boston University, share why SOGI data are essential for delivering personalized health care interventions and improving overall health outcomes. Understanding sexual orientation and gender identity alongside other demographic variables like race and ethnicity is crucial for providing comprehensive and inclusive care. Emphasizing the importance of building trust within healthcare settings, our guests discuss how fostering a trustworthy environment encourages the sharing of sensitive SOGI information, which is vital for patient care quality.

The conversation addresses the challenges the current political climate poses and its potential negative impacts on LGBTQ health. We highlight the necessity of robust privacy protections to prevent the misuse of SOGI data and the role of the entire healthcare team in safeguarding this information. Additionally, we share insights into new resources from the US Department of Health and Human Services to enhance demographic data quality. Calvin emphasizes recognizing LGBTQ individuals as people with unique stories and the importance of methodological data collection. For further guidance, recommendations include resources from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the US Department of Health and Human Services. 

Key Quote: 

“These are intimate areas of people's lives that we're dealing with in health care, and HIPAA was enacted to protect that information from exploitation and misuse. so it's incredibly sad to see state actors intentionally misusing the law. To take personal health information from patients, from families, from healthcare institutions, not just that incredible intrusion into the provider patient relationship, but then also to Press charges against healthcare providers, for providing medical care in accordance with their training and expertise. It's an incredible violation of HIPAA and something that should concern all of us, regardless of whether we're transgender or we provide care to transgender people.”

-Kellan Baker, Executive Director of the Whitman-Walker Institute

Time Stamps:

(00:44) Understanding SOGI Data

(03:26) Challenges and Misconceptions about SOGI Data

(05:51) Legal Issues and Misuse of SOGI Data

(11:01) Finding Trust in Healthcare Systems

(13:12) The  Future of SOGI Data Collection

Links:

Connect with Kellan Baker

Connect with Dr. Carl Streed

Learn more about the Whiteman-Walker Institute 

Learn more about the GenderCare Center at Boston University School of Medicine

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