Stakeholders' recommendations to improve patient-centered lGBTQ primary care in rural and multicultural practices

Purpose: individuals among gender/sexual minorities share experiences of stigma and discrimination,yet have distinctive health care needs influenced by ethnic/racial minority and rural realities. methods: we collected qualitative data from lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (lgbt) and queer persons across the largely rural,multicultural state of new mexico,particularly those from understudied ethnic groups,regarding factors facilitating or impeding patient-centered primary care. the themes identified formed the basis for a statewide summit on lgbt health care guidelines and strategies for decreasing treatment gaps. results: three to 15 individuals,ages 18 to 75 years,volunteered for 1 of 4 town hall dialogues (n 32),and 175 people took part in the summit. participants acknowledged health care gaps pertinent to lgbt youth,elders,american indians,and latinos/latinas,expressing specific concern for rural residents. conclusions: this preliminary research emphasizes the need to improve primary care practices that treat rural and ethnic-minority lgbt people and offers patient-driven recommendations to enhance care delivery while clinic-level transformations are implemented.