Trying to Comprehend Physicians’ Feelings and Behaviors toward Sex and Gender Minorities in Terms of Improving Minorities’ Access to Healthcare Services

The fundamental basis of human existence is the enjoyment of rights and freedoms. The capacity of sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals to enjoy equal access to their right to health is inextricably linked to the manner in which physicians interact with and treat SGM individuals. It is therefore evident that the perception of SGM individuals by physicians is a matter that requires further examination. The objective of this study was to gain insight into the attitudes of physicians toward SGM individuals by examining their feelings and behaviors. In this cross-sectional study of 193 physicians, a series of t-tests and chi-square tests were conducted to determine whether there were significant differences between the various sociodemographic categories of the participants. The findings indicate that physicians’ approach to SGM individuals is largely aligned with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). A comparison of the attitudes of male and female participants reveals a greater proclivity toward egalitarianism among the latter with regard to SGMs. Additionally, it was determined that medical professionals engaged in the field of internal medicine exhibited a comparatively less traditionalist perspective on gender roles and a more egalitarian stance toward individuals who identified as sexual and gender minorities. The stress, fear, and anxiety experienced by SGM individuals impose a responsibility on physicians to demonstrate greater awareness and consideration of their behavior while providing health services. In order for physicians to become more aware and responsible, it is necessary to provide them with a higher level of education in medical content based on an egalitarian legal framework for sexual orientation and gender identity. Furthermore, the study recommends the implementation of more inclusive social practices.