Med Care 2021 Apr 1. Epub 2021 Apr 1.
Department of Psychology, University of Maine, Orono, ME Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Health Program, Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine Houston VA HRS&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX SHEP Patient Experience Survey Program, Office of Reporting, Analytics, Performance, Improvement and Deployment (RAPID), Veterans Health Administration, Washington, DC Department of Health Law, Policy, and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA Aleda E. Lutz Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Veterans Health Administration, Saginaw, MI Boston VA Research Institute Inc. National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA.
Background: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) does not routinely collect and document sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data despite research on health disparities among sexual and gender minority (SGM) veterans. Due to the legacy of previous Department of Defense policies that prohibited disclosure of sexual or gender minority identities among active-duty personnel, minority veterans may be reluctant to respond to SOGI questions on confidential VHA surveys and in discussions with their VHA providers. Veterans may generally find SOGI questions uncomfortable and may not appreciate their relevance to health care. Read More