Pride in Pharmacy: Comprehensive Resources for 2SLGBTQIA+ Patient Care 

June 1, 2024
 
During Pride Month in June, it's important to reflect on its history and significance. For pharmacy professionals, this includes considering how to best serve 2SLGBTQIA+ patients by providing equitable and inclusive care. Staying informed about the unique health needs of this community is essential.  
 
Explore valuable resources that can help pharmacy professionals provide equitable patient care for all.

Internal Resources

CSHP Ontario Branch - May Journal Club: Where to Start? Considering Sex and Gender in Research and Practice

In this session speaker Mira Maximos describes how sex and gender related factors may influence therapeutic efficacy and safety. She also explores how research led by and involving pharmacy professionals can begin to consider sex and gender related factors.

Clinical Pearl: Student reflection on Pride Month & 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy during pharmacy school and Resource Spotlight: Pride and 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy  

 Read last year’s Pride month student perspective on how pharmacy students can advocate for the 2SLGBTQIA+ population all year round then brush up on 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive care resources available for patients and pharmacy professionals, both by Holly Wingate. 
 

The Hospital Pharmacist’s Role In 2SLGBTQ+ Inclusive Patient Care 

Jessica Sheard’s article covers how hospital pharmacy professionals are well-positioned to provide equitable and inclusive care to 2SLGBTQ+ patients during their hospital stay.
 

Pharmacists as EDI Champions: Reflections of a Pharmacy Resident on the Role of Pharmacists in Minimizing Health Inequities for Underserved Populations 

Written while a resident,  Zach Kennedy reflects on how pharmacists can be great advocates for their patients in EDIA, particularly when nobody else takes up that role.  

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in HIV care: an approach to stigma 

Caitlin Olatunbosun offers insights into how EDIA principles can ensure access to care for everyone, especially in HIV treatment and beyond.

External Resources 

prideHealth 

Nova Scotia Health established prideHealth to enhance access to health services that are safe, coordinated, comprehensive, and culturally appropriate for 2SLGBTQIA+ community members. PrideHealth houses an interactive online tool which includes guidance on navigating Trans and Gender-diverse healthcare, informational brochuresposters, and much more!
 

CPhA Updated practice tools to help your LGBT2SQ+ patients

Our peers at CPhA have a few great, updated resources for healthcare providers to better help 2SLGBTQIA+ patients including 10 actions for creating an inclusive pharmacy space, a guide to 2SLGBTQIA+-friendly language, as well as other posters and webinars! 
 

ASHP pride month podcasts

As part of their pride month celebrations our American counterparts at ASHP host a series of podcasts with LGBTQ pharmacy leaders.  

Rainbow Health Ontario Resource Library

This resource library by Sherbourne Health gathers and distributes the latest, credible health resources tailored to the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across Ontario.  

Trans Care BC – Health Professionals resources

This resource page Provincial Health Services Authority’s Trans Care BC was designed to help healthcare professionals provide optimal care to trans, Two-Spirit, and non-binary patients. It features a primer on gender-affirming care, professional development courses, and a primary care toolkit for initiating or maintaining hormone therapy, and additional reading materials to enhance practice. 

The College of Pharmacists of BC Joins the 2SLGBTQ+ Community in Celebrating PRIDE

In 2021, the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia published an article emphasizing the crucial role pharmacists play in providing safe, effective, and ethical care to 2SLGBTQ+ individuals throughout the healthcare system. The article calls for the use of inclusive language and highlights the impact of 2SLGBTQIA+ identification on patient safety and experiences. 

Alberta Health Services: LGBTQ2S+ / Sexual and Gender Diversity – Resources

This resource offers comprehensive support, including educational materials and awareness programs aimed at building safe spaces. It also features a section dedicated to transgender health, providing valuable information and guidance for healthcare professionals. 

Anti-Trans Risk Map

The Anti-Trans Risk Map is an essential tool that identifies regions where transgender individuals face increased risks due to discriminatory laws, policies, and social climates. Given that such legislation can significantly impact the physical and mental health of affected individuals1,2, this tool can help pharmacy professionals stay informed about current legal conditions and advocate for trans, gender-diverse, and other 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. 

Human Rights Campaign: Providing LGBTQ-Inclusive Care and Services at your Pharmacy

This guide created by the Human Rights Campaign was developed to help pharmacy professionals provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for their 2SLGBTQIA+ patients. 

National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center

The US-based National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center offers a wide array of learning resources, including educational modules, toolkits, and webinars on various health-related topics. 

References

  1. Andreou A. Anti-trans laws will have a chilling effect on medicine [Internet]. Scientific American; 2022 [cited 2024 May]. Available from: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/anti-trans-laws-will-have-a-chilling-effect-on-medicine/ 
  2. Barbee H, Deal C, Gonzales G [Internet]. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2022 [cited 2024 May]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10204642/