Building a Medical Environment Where Everyone Can Receive Care with Peace of Mind Regardless of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation: Creation of Accessible Video Educational Materials

Professor Yuko Takeda of the Department of Medical Education at Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, in collaboration with Aoyama Gakuin University and Teikyo University, has developed video educational materials aimed at building a medical environment that leaves no one behind. Created with the cooperation of LGBTQ+ individuals as part of the FY2025 'Joint Project between the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Universities,' these materials are suitable for workplace training and school education. They are available for viewing by medical professionals and anyone else interested in the topic. Key Points ● Based on interviews with LGBTQ+ individuals, the video materials allow viewers to experience the difficulties often encountered when visiting medical institutions from the perspective of the patients themselves. ● The videos illustrate the differences in responses between medical institutions that are prepared for the presence of same-sex partners or individuals with gender dysphoria, and those that are not. ● The materials are open to the public, including medical professionals and anyone wishing to learn more about this field. Background Surveys targeting LGBTQ+ individuals indicate that many experience difficulties when visiting medical institutions. Reports suggest that this leads to worsening health conditions, and in some cases, severe medical consequences or even suicidal ideation. Conversely, medical professionals often express uncertainty about how to respond or fear that they might inadvertently cause harm. To address this, these video materials were created to be accessible to everyone. Content The video series consists of: (1) Basic knowledge regarding sexual orientation and gender identity (why medical professionals need to learn about this) (13 minutes); (2) Outpatient and hospitalization examples for a woman with a same-sex partner (18 minutes); and (3) Examples of a regular health checkup and subsequent outpatient visit for an individual with gender dysphoria (22 minutes). Parts (2) and (3) demonstrate the differences in responses between institutions that are prepared for these patients and those that are not. The videos conclude with an explanation of initiatives currently being implemented at Juntendo University Hospital. Future Outlook The video materials can be viewed as a complete set or individually. As they include commentary, they are suitable for self-study, classroom use, and workplace training. While these videos represent only examples—as the anxieties, difficulties, and desired responses vary from person to person—we hope they will serve as a catalyst for progress in medical settings. We will continue to promote these materials for use not only in medical fields but also in educational institutions and corporate training programs.