Educational Programs in LGBTQ+ Health

Indiana University School of Medicine offers education programs to prepare future health care providers and scientists to further advance inclusive and affirming care to sexual and gender minority patients. 

IU Methodist Family Medicine Residents accepted into the LGBTQ+ Health Track are committed to the whole-person care of sexual and gender minority patients and are offered experiences in clinics that serve the LGBTQ+ community along with engagement in scholarly and volunteer/advocacy activities promoting the health and wellness of the LGBTQ+ community.

Psychiatry residents interested in serving sexual and gender minority patients see patients in the Gender Health Program to address psychiatric symptoms, manage medications, and provide gender-affirming mental health care including letters of support for surgery while also participating in journal club, didactics, and other projects focused on LGBTQ+ patients.

During their family planning rotation, OB-GYN residents have the opportunity to work with a faculty supervisor to see LGBTQ+ patients for gynecological care, gender affirming hysterectomies, family planning, prenatal care, and contraception, learning ways to provide inclusive and affirming care to sexual and gender minority patients.

The Human Sexuality and Health Scholarly Concentration introduces students to a range of issues related to sex, gender and sexuality and how these characteristics intersect with the practice of medicine. Students learn about health disparities in LGBTQ+ populations, the need for competency in practice with LGBTQ+ patients, and current best practices. This concentration is a partnership with the Kinsey Institute and provides students the opportunity to work with faculty researchers on a range of topics related to sex and sexuality.

Fourth year medical students accepted into this elective course will work with providers in many different medical settings serving LGBTQ+ patients, focusing on improving culturally competent communication skills and developing a greater understanding of barriers to care for LGBTQ+ patients. Students will learn HIV/STI prevention best practices, components of gender-affirming care, and how to collect a comprehensive sexual health history.

Urology faculty supervises either a 2-week or 4-week elective in which medical students rotate with urology, OB-GYN, and plastic surgery to experience a wide range of gender affirming surgeries. Students also rotate with family medicine providers in the Gender Health Program to gain exposure to all aspects of gender affirming care.