Homophobia among doctors

Abstract

Homophobia creates stress for gay men and women. An interview study of 28 doctors, 20 gay and eight non-gay, was performed to assess whether homophobia is strong among the medical profession, the stress it causes, and whether the advent of AIDS and HIV infection has increased the stress. The doctors, recruited by word of mouth and by a letter in the medical and gay press, were asked about their own attitudes to homosexuality and AIDS. Only one (non-gay) doctor thought that there was no prejudice against gay doctors in the medical profession. The gay doctors certainly perceived prejudice, which they claimed caused them extra stress; the advent of AIDS had increased this stress to an extent. Doctors who had not openly declared themselves to be gay feared doing so because of the effect on their job prospects, but those who had declared themselves openly reported less stress than previously. Homophobia clearly exists within the medical profession. Non-gay doctors should use the power of the profession to challenge homophobia in the profession and in society. HIV infection could then be treated as a purely medical condition; sufferers would receive wider understanding and the pressures of extra workload could be more equally shared.

Austrian medical students’ attitudes towards male and female homosexuality: A comparative survey

“…On the other hand, the opportunity to address the issue of homosexuality can be seen as an important quality criterion in the doctor-patient relationship [26]. In addition, negative attitudes may also adversely affect gay and lesbian colleagues [27].…”

Homosexuality and mental health services

“…But, as shown elsewhere in this issue by Lynn Rose (p 586),18 the two tend to coexist, and each is disabling. Rose's study of homophobia among doctors is welcome and begs the question of how a profession that fails to care for its peers can care for its clients.…”

Acquiring and demonstrating attitudes in medical education: attitudes to homosexuality as a case study

“…It has relevance for patient contact in all medical specialities, has direct personal relevance for the students' own evolving sexualities, and is strongly intertwined with gender, which itself raises attitudinal issues. There is evidence that the issue of sexuality has proved difficult for students in the past and has been avoided or problematic in medical education and practice (Bauman & Hale, 1985;Wallick et al, 1993;Rose, 1994;Tinmouth & Hamwi, 1994;Golding, 1997;Bewley & Bolton, 1999).…”