Patient and Health Care Staff Perspectives on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data Collection

PURPOSE: This review provides an examination of studies investigating the patient and provider perspectives on the collection of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data in the health care setting. METHODS: Searches were conducted using MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, Web of Science, APA PsycINFO, Dissertations and Theses Global, Scopus, Sociological Abstracts, and Global Index Medicus for articles published January 1, 2000, to February 16, 2022, containing concepts of sexual orientation, gender identity, and data collection methods. The initial search yielded a total of 4356 records. Studies that reported results related to patient and staff perspectives on data collection for SOGI in a health care setting were analyzed as full text. Rayyan software was used for the abstract review. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Two reviewers performed data extraction. All of the studies were observational, including 14 interview/focus group qualitative studies and 11 survey studies. In general, patients were favorable toward SOGI data collection; however, there were concerns about confidentiality and discrimination. Providers were less confident in collecting SOGI data, especially in situations lacking adequate training, and articulated concerns about the potential for offending patients. CONCLUSION: Patients regard SOGI data collection as an acceptable practice. However, to avoid offending or confusing patients, health care staff should receive focused training on how to ask SOGI questions, including the clinical relevance of these data.