A Difficult Problem

We’re a very diverse community. One person might not have a problem with it while may have a with a notation on their medical record about their LGBT status.

Indian Trail woman says ‘lesbianism' listed as problem in medical history
WSOCTV
By: Joe Bruno, Tina Terry
January 26, 2017

INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. - An Indian Trail mother was shocked by a discovery she made on her medical history.

Kristina Rodriguez said that after she had blood work done by her medical service provider, Lake Park Family Practice of Carolinas Healthcare System, she saw “lesbianism" listed under medical problems on her medical history record.

Rodriguez showed the documents to Channel 9 on Tuesday, and her story has garnered national attention since.

“This listed as a medical problem could really set someone back, could mess with their self-esteem and could make them think something is wrong with them,” Rodriguez said. "I hope to bring change to where stuff like that is not disclosed on your medical record, because that's personal information.”

Some trans people do not want to reveal their trans history, and some trans people are comfortable with a note about their trans status.

So what should the medical community do? Well one thing not add a comment in the under medical problems, that is a definite No, No. When I am on the panel for second year med students the doctor recommends put a note in the comment section in their medical record. But even some LGBT people don’t like that.

I know some trans women who would mortified if they knew that there was any notes at all about the fact that they are trans. And I know some lesbians who would like a note on their record just so they don’t have to go through the “Safe Sex” lecture.

The Hospital issued a statement…

“Carolinas HealthCare System recognizes optimum care depends on strong relationships between doctors, care teams and patients. To that end, our physicians and care teams seek information to help them understand as much as possible about patients, their families, and their lives to treat them holistically. Health care providers everywhere are working to better understand the best way to include information in the most sensitive and respectful way to each patient. Like other providers, we are continuously working to improve our process and have work underway to enhance our efforts to appropriately collect patient information in accordance with industry best practices guided by the Human Rights Campaign.”

“Sexual orientation is not a clinical diagnosis and we will be working closely with our physicians and providers to ensure that information included in medical records is appropriate, respectful and consistent with our belief in the importance of diversity. We strongly support diversity and inclusion in all our interactions with patients, the public and our teammates, including creating an affirming environment for LGBT patients and their families.”

I think we should list the fact that we are trans in our medical history our lives may depend upon what is on our record. Our legacy organs can and do develop problems, we can have prostate problems, the guys can have problems with their ovaries or uterus.

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