Health is arguably one of the most personal aspects of our lives and seeking healthcare can be a very vulnerable experience. 

As health practitioners (aka strangers), we ask patients to divulge highly personal information and to trust us to treat them and that information with confidentiality and respect. 

These are expectations we often take for granted in Australia.

However, for many individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+, the idea of going to see a physiotherapist can be incredibly stressful.

While many health practitioners in Australia consider themselves and their practices to be inclusive towards members of LGBTQIA+ communities, heteronormative environments and assumptions are still mainstream in the Australian healthcare system. 

Many LGBTQIA+ individuals report recent experiences of misgendering, lack of access to toilets and bathrooms that align with their gender and assumptions about sexual preference and gender identity, all of which can occur before they even see a health practitioner. 

One of the most important features of safety is credibility— if we want to be trusted by the LGBTQIA+ community, we first need to create safe and inclusive environments.

Recent research has shown that a safe and inclusive environment requires consideration of the physical space and the social space in which your clinical environment is situated—safety begins before patients
even arrive in the reception area. 

The good news is that there are some very simple but effective ways you can create a culturally safe and inclusive space for clients from LGBTQIA+ communities and demonstrate your commitment to allyship.

Create a physically safe space 

A simple change that can be made to the physical space of any healthcare environment is the addition of subtle signposts of safety such as LGBTQIA+ flags in waiting areas. 

Signage for bathrooms or changing facilities should indicate that they are all gender-neutral (if possible) or that individuals should select a bathroom that aligns to the gender they identify with. 

Even easier is a review of practice documentation to ensure that it uses gender-neutral language.

Create a socially safe space 

Creating a socially safe space begins with developing a culture of inclusivity within your work environment. 

A good place to start is to review your online presence to ensure that you share posts, blogs, videos and images that demonstrate a commitment to LGBTQIA+ progress and inclusion (eg, images that display same- sex couples). 

When introducing your team on your website, include their pronouns with their biographies.

Another easy change to your online presence could be to promote local events run by members of the LGBTQIA+ community or that support issues of importance for the LGBTQIA+ community.

To create a socially safe space within your clinic, start by reviewing communication habits with all members of your team (see here) to ensure that inclusive language becomes standard practice in both the clinical and front-of-house areas of your practice.

Encourage your staff to wear subtle signs of support for the LGBTQIA+ community such as pride pins or lanyards to reinforce that language.

Get informed

Knowledge beyond language is also crucial. Where possible, encourage your team to undertake training in the unique.

>>Dr Julie Walters (she/her) is the program director of the entry-level physiotherapy programs at the University of South Australia and has experience in public, private and educational settings across South Australia. Julie is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and can represent it authentically from the perspective of a patient, clinician, researcher and teacher.