09/29/2023

Student Research: Alex Strader, PA-S, on LGBTQ+-specific Health Education

As health practitioners, PAs can improve patient outcomes and the effectiveness of their practice by building cultural awareness and competency for working with patients of all identities. Ohio University PA student and OAPA student member, Alex Strader, PA-S, is involved with GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality, the world's largest and oldest association of LGBTQ+ healthcare professionals.

Through his service on GLMA’s health professionals in training curriculum reform committee (HPiT CRC), Alex is working to assess the current state of LGBTQIA+ education in various health professions, as well as to create resources to help students and provide suggestions to implement curricular changes in various health professional programs. The HPiT CRC is surveying health professional students and educators of health professional students to better understand where resources should be focused.

Alex and his committee colleagues have prepared preliminary data through a presentation entitled “A mixed-method comparison of LGBTQ+-specific health education among health professionals in training across disciplines,” which is being delivered this weekend at GLMA’s Annual Conference.

They are still recruiting and collecting data from health professionals in training and educators of health professionals. Survey participants will help to advance GLMA’s mission to ensure health equity for LGBTQ+ people everywhere and equality for LGBTQ+ health professionals in their work and learning environment.

Here is the survey link: https://utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8oFj7SrWflJfwSG

Questions about the research may be directed to lead student researcher, Lexie Wille, at lexiewille@utexas.edu or to Alex Strader at as337021@ohio.edu. Thank you to OAPA members who may choose to participate!