Collecting data on sexual orientation and gender identity in electronic health records is essential to providing high-quality, patient-centered care to LGBT individuals. This brief discusses the importance of gathering this data to help identify and address LGBT health disparities in health centers and other health care organizations. It provides recommended questions for asking patients their sexual orientation and gender identity in electronic health records, as well as information about training staff to collect data systematically. Providers who are informed of their patients’ sexual orientation and gender identity, and are trained to care for LGBT patients, are better able to provide care that is relevant, specific, and compassionate.
This brief has been updated to reflect the latest HRSA UDS requirements.
