Sexuality of health practitioners is complex
http://www.100md.com
《英国医生杂志》
EDITOR—Riordan's qualitative study of how gay and lesbian health professionals manage issues such as physical examinations is interesting and provocative.1 However, there has long been evidence that sexual orientation occurs, like most human characteristics, on a spectrum.2 Although there may be clustering at each end of this spectrum, most people report at least some heterosexual and homosexual responsiveness.
This is seen most clearly in same sex institutions and in soldiers' behaviour in wartime settings. The extent to which people cluster at either end of the spectrum might be determined by factors such as social acceptability, political views, and the legal status of gay and lesbian lifestyles. In countries such as the United Kingdom many health professionals who regard themselves as gay or lesbian will have reflected on these issues. However, what about the much larger number of men and women who may experience arousal to other people of the same sex but are living to all intents and purposes as heterosexuals? These professionals may be most vulnerable in clinical settings.
Although an obvious solution is to recommend chaperones for all physical examinations, this only addresses one narrow part of the problem and is not always possible, particularly in primary care. In his accompanying editorial Hughes calls for further research, but perhaps this should be aimed at all healthcare workers (not just gay men and lesbians), for many of whom this matter may be relevant.3
Michael King, professor of primary care psychiatry
Department of Mental Health Sciences, Royal Free and University College London Medical School, London NW3 2PF m.king@rfc.ucl.ac.uk
Irwin Nazareth, professor
Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College London Medical School
Competing interests: None declared.
References
Riordan DC. Interaction strategies of lesbian, gay, and bisexual healthcare practitioners in the clinical examination of patients: qualitative study. BMJ 2004;328: 1227-9. (22 May.)
Kinsey AC Pomeroy WB, Martin CE. Sexual behaviour in the human male. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1948.
Hughes D. Disclosure of sexual preferences and lesbian, gay, and bisexual practitioners. BMJ 2004;328: 1211-2. (22 May.)
This is seen most clearly in same sex institutions and in soldiers' behaviour in wartime settings. The extent to which people cluster at either end of the spectrum might be determined by factors such as social acceptability, political views, and the legal status of gay and lesbian lifestyles. In countries such as the United Kingdom many health professionals who regard themselves as gay or lesbian will have reflected on these issues. However, what about the much larger number of men and women who may experience arousal to other people of the same sex but are living to all intents and purposes as heterosexuals? These professionals may be most vulnerable in clinical settings.
Although an obvious solution is to recommend chaperones for all physical examinations, this only addresses one narrow part of the problem and is not always possible, particularly in primary care. In his accompanying editorial Hughes calls for further research, but perhaps this should be aimed at all healthcare workers (not just gay men and lesbians), for many of whom this matter may be relevant.3
Michael King, professor of primary care psychiatry
Department of Mental Health Sciences, Royal Free and University College London Medical School, London NW3 2PF m.king@rfc.ucl.ac.uk
Irwin Nazareth, professor
Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College London Medical School
Competing interests: None declared.
References
Riordan DC. Interaction strategies of lesbian, gay, and bisexual healthcare practitioners in the clinical examination of patients: qualitative study. BMJ 2004;328: 1227-9. (22 May.)
Kinsey AC Pomeroy WB, Martin CE. Sexual behaviour in the human male. Saunders, Philadelphia, 1948.
Hughes D. Disclosure of sexual preferences and lesbian, gay, and bisexual practitioners. BMJ 2004;328: 1211-2. (22 May.)