Evaluation of the four national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ)-competent provider directories in the United States

Abstract

Background: Postponement and avoidance of healthcare by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people can be attributed to various individual and systemic barriers. National directories of culturally-competent providers may serve as a bridge solution until LGBTQ health education becomes a requisite within standard medical education. This study seeks to evaluate these directories. Methods: In this qualitative study, characteristics such as populations served, number of providers, provider-specific feedback, and searchable criteria of the four national LGBTQ-competent provider directories in the United States, i.e., the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) Provider Directory, OutCare Health OutList, Referral Aggregator Database (RAD), and World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Member Directory, were evaluated. Results: The GLMA Provider Directory and OutCare Health OutList both served the LGBTQ community while the RAD and WPATH Member Directory served the transgender community. The directories enumerated many providers: GLMA Provider Directory (n = 3961), OutCare Health OutList (n = 1900), RAD (n = 4051), and WPATH Member Directory (n = 1573). Only the OutCare Health OutList and RAD allowed provider-specific feedback. All directories provided nine fundamental searchable criteria (including provider name, location, specialty, population identity, service type, payment types, gender identity, and languages spoken) except the WPATH Member Directory which offered three criteria. Conclusion: The four national directories of LGBTQ-competent providers help address an essential need within the LGBTQ population by promoting equitable healthcare access. Provider-specific feedback and searchable criteria are important key characteristics to ensure cultural competency. By implementing these features, existing and future directories could better provide for the LGBTQ population.