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Cross & Llewellyn FAMPR-035-20 R2 unformatted copy for SRO.pdf (299.76 kB)

A decline in patient disclosure of heterosexuality in the English general practice patient survey: a longitudinal analysis of cross-sectional data

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posted on 2023-06-07, 06:55 authored by Harry Cross, Carrie LlewellynCarrie Llewellyn
Background: Persistent health inequalities in relation to both healthcare experiences and health outcomes continue to exist among patients identifying with a marginalised sexual orientation. Objective: To compare the patterns of sexual orientation disclosure within primary care in England over a five-year period. Methods: Descriptive analysis of cross-sectional, repeat measure, fully anonymised survey data of adults responding to the General Practice Patient Survey (GPPS) January 2012 to 2017. Participants from each year varied between 808,332 (2017) and 1,037,946 (2011/2012). Results. The analysis samples comprised between 396963 and 770091 individuals with valid sexual orientation data depending on the year. For males, heterosexual disclosure decreased consistently from 92.3% to 91.2% from 2012 to 2017. Male patients reporting gay, bisexual and/or ‘other’ sexual orientations increased from 3.1% to 3.9%. For females, a larger reduction in heterosexual disclosure was recorded from 94% to 92.5%. Those reporting as lesbian, bisexual and/or ‘other’ increased from 1.82% to 2.68%, with the largest increase seen in the reporting of bisexuality, which nearly doubled from 2012 until 2017 (0.56% to 0.99%). Conclusion. We found a year on year decline in patients reporting a heterosexual identity and an increase in the proportions of people reporting being either gay, bisexual, ‘other sexual orientation’ or preferring not to say. Heteronormative environments extend to healthcare settings, which may put increased stress on MSO individuals attending a GP practice. The introduction of environmental signs/symbols to show that a practice is inclusive of MSOs could reduce the potential stress experienced by patients.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Family Practice

ISSN

0263-2136

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Department affiliated with

  • Primary Care and Public Health Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2020-05-01

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2021-04-10

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2020-05-01

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