Inclusion of the I in LGBTI: A systematic review of cultural competence curriculum for healthcare professionals

The word/label Intersex is an umbrella term for individuals who are born with sex characteristics that do not typically fall into male or female categories. Individuals who are intersex make up about 1-4% of the United States population today and are identified within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) community. Many people who are intersex identify as transgender, which relates to the social process of gender change, as they develop into adults. The lack of appropriately trained healthcare providers who understand the developmental specturm of people who are intersex, often result in challenges that may affect the their socio-emotional development of individuals who identify as such. Intersex individuals often experience poor health outcomes due to provider stigma and bias, and lack of education within the curriculum for healthcare professionals. This systematic review analyzes 18 sources that were published between 2014 to 2021 with primary research locations in the United States and Europe. The methods included searching various databases, assessing articles, utilizing keywords, screening abstracts, and creating inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two reviewers were utilized to assess and identify primary themes throughout each article and the systematic review overall. The studies reviewed primarily focused on patient-centered care for intersex individuals and implementation trials of LGBTI focused education within clinical and social settings. Brief findings include: the need for culturally competent care in healthcare settings, the effectiveness of LGBTI training for healthcare workers, assessment of health professional’s attitudes toward intersex individuals, and the relationships between intersex health outcomes and education standards among healthcare professionals