• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT+) Cultural and Clinical Competence Among UK Practising and Student Speech and Language Therapists

Background: The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) population has historically been marginalised in health care. Despite recent advancements in LGBT+ rights, sexual minorities still face multiple health inequities. LGBT+ cultural and clinical competence is relevant to speech and language therapists (SLTs), whose scope of practice includes providing voice and communication therapy to transgender individuals. They are required to deliver equitable, respectful, and effective services to culturally diverse clients.

Aim: To examine LGBT+ cultural and clinical competence among qualified and aspiring SLTs.

Method: One hundred and eighty-five practising and student SLTs in the UK completed an online survey.

Results: Mean scores on LGBT+ culture questions were 70%. Self-ratings suggested that respondents were more comfortable than knowledgeable in LGBT+ topics and held positive feelings towards subgroups of the sexual minority. The majority (71%) reported an absence of LGBT+ cultural content in their degree programmes, and only 45% demonstrated knowledge of transgender voice and communication therapy. Many rated all nine LGBT+ topics as high priority to be addressed in a study day and expressed interest in further training.

Conclusion: LGBT+ cultural and clinical competence among qualified and aspiring SLTs is ripe for improvement. This study provides recommendations to promote LGBT+ equality in the speech and language therapy profession in order to better care for LGBT+ individuals.