Caitlyn Tivy’s Post

The really interesting thing about the medical community as it exists today is that everyone wants change, but the system isn’t designed for change to be easily accessed. The system works, but only for those who profit most from it. Companies along almost any vertical inside or related to the medical field are seeing record-breaking profits in the past decade. At the same time, patient care and advocacy has suffered. Many doctors (as much as we’d like to blame them) are unable to deliver the care they know is needed to achieve desirable patient outcomes because they’re forced to operate within outdated, inefficient systems. Almost anyone on the patient side of the conversation can look at the medical community and see it's not working. And the scary thing is, even some within the medical community can see it as well but are reluctant to make any meaningful changes that can improve patient experiences. This is why I’m proud that equalityMD is one of several emerging platforms providing concierge medicine. Because our platform is built around #patients and their #intersectional identities, we can deliver higher quality care, #advocate for patients’ needs, and provide #culturallycompetent care that’s cheaper than most insurance plans. I mean, where else can you get bi-weekly #mentalhealth visits with a licensed therapist, clinically and culturally trained in working with the #LGBTQ community, for just $79 per month? Moreover, primary care visits, urgent care visits, AND over 1,000+ prescriptions (including PrEP) are all INCLUDED with your subscription! No hidden fees, no co-pays, no nonsense. If you’d like more information about our LGBTQ+ healthtech platform, check us out here: https://lnkd.in/gmHYAkfJ

Another tremendous thank you to Elevate Advocacy for giving me the platform to share my thoughts and experiences on such an important topic. Navigating the healthcare system can feel daunting for LGBTQ+ folx, often like searching for a needle in a haystack. It's disheartening to hear stories of invasive questions and a lack of patient-centered care, especially in places where the trans community faces even greater hostility. I’ve had own share of these experiences. The added burden of having to educate healthcare providers is a stressor we can, and should, aim to eliminate. The path to change involves integrating LGBTQ+ healthcare training into medical curricula and promoting continuing education for providers. It's great to see resources like the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center at Fenway Health Health offering free educational materials to help create safer and more affirming healthcare spaces. Platforms like the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory are making it easier for individuals to find knowledgeable and affirming providers, marking a step in the right direction towards health equity. Our discussion reiterated the crucial need for compassionate, equitable care, education, and understanding. Let's continue pushing for a world where every member of the LGBTQ+ community can access the care they need without fear or hesitation. Here's to creating a future where healthcare is inclusive, affirming, and accessible to all. #LGBTQHealth #InclusiveCare #HealthEquity

🗣️ Inclusivity is more than just words—it's about equitable healthcare for all. When marginalised groups, including the LGBTQ+ community, are excluded or underrepresented in healthcare, the consequences can be devastating: ❌ Trans and non-binary individuals often encounter outdated, binary-focused medical information that invalidates their identities, creating barriers to accessing appropriate care. ❌ Critical gaps in clinical trials—such as limited inclusion of transgender individuals—mean treatments, including hormone therapies, may lack robust evidence or safety data for this population. ❌ LGBTQ+ individuals may delay or avoid seeking care altogether due to stigma, fear of discrimination or previous negative healthcare experiences, further exacerbating health disparities. "Inclusive language and representation throughout the entire healthcare journey can break down these barriers. It’s about more than words—it’s about action at every stage, from clinical trial recruitment that ensures diverse populations are represented, to education materials that affirm identities and empower patients to make informed decisions about their health" — Sarah Reynolds. Let's work together to create a more inclusive healthcare system. #HealthcareEquality #MedicalCommunications #BioscriptGroup

Last call for The Download! 📣 This Pride Month, MiHIN is proud to host Matthias Kirch, Michigan Social Health Interventions to Eliminate Disparities and Madelynn Valu, Program Director, Civitas Networks for Health, on The Download for a discussion on the critical role of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) data collection in achieving health equity. As we strive for a more inclusive healthcare system, establishing and implementing standardized demographic data collection, including SOGI data alongside Race, Ethnicity, and Language (REAL) data, is essential. This data empowers providers to deliver more targeted and culturally competent care, and equips researchers and policymakers to identify and address health disparities within LGBTQ+ communities. Join us today at 11 a.m. EST to learn more about: ✅ The evolving landscape of demographic data standards, with a focus on SO/GI data. ✅ How these standards are implemented at the Health Information Exchange (HIE) level. ✅ The crucial role data standards play in informing policies and priorities that promote LGBTQ+ health equity. Secure your spot here: ⬇https://lnkd.in/gufM6Puv

In our latest video with Liam Paschall, we dive into the profound impact of culturally competent care on the LGBTQ+ community.   Finding healthcare providers who are knowledgeable and affirming of LGBTQ+ identities can often feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Patients routinely run into invasive questions and providers who lead with their own curiosity instead of centering the patient’s personal and clinical needs. In states with less inclusive attitudes and laws, such as Tennessee and Florida, the trans community often faces heightened hostility, making it even more challenging to access safe and affirming healthcare. Unfortunately, LGBTQ+ patients frequently find themselves in the position of educating their healthcare providers about their community, adding an unnecessary burden to an already stressful experience.   This lack of culturally competent care can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and gender dysphoria. Negative experiences may even discourage transgender individuals from engaging with healthcare systems altogether, putting their overall well-being at risk.   It's clear that change is needed. Training around LGBTQ+ healthcare must be integrated into medical school curricula. Thankfully, this is starting to happen more regularly. We also need to promote continuing education opportunities that allow providers to learn more about the community and how to create safe clinic spaces. The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center from Fenway Health is one spot providers can access FREE CMEs and other learning opportunities centered around the community.   Navigating the healthcare system can be a daunting task for LGBTQ+ individuals, with many struggling to find providers who are knowledgeable about the unique needs and experiences of the community. If providers are unable to list this expertise on their clinic’s website, they can join sites such as OutCare Health and the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory, a joint venture between the Tegan and Sara Foundation and GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality. That way, patients can find providers who are affirming just by searching for them online.   A key point of health equity is to push for change and for better understanding of marginalized communities. Hopefully, our conversation with Liam helps shed some light on the difficulties face by the LGBTQ+ population.   #CulturallyCompetentCare #LGBTQHealthcare #InclusiveMedicine #HealthEquity #SocialSaturday Image description: At the top left is Devra, a white woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a teal shirt and glasses. To her right is Liam, a white man with short light-colored hair wearing a blue-and-white plaid shirt and dark glasses. Underneath Devra and Liam is Angela, a Black woman with dark brown skin, and black chin length straight hair. She is wearing a long sleeve animal print shirt, black eyeglasses with a tortoise rim, and rose-colored lipstick.

Health is a human right and this Pride Month 🌈 and every month for that matter, we want to focus attention on the importance of LGBTQ+ healthcare inclusivity. Yes, inclusivity in healthcare means access to the services one needs, but equally important is receiving care that acknowledges and respects who we are as individuals. Continued education, awareness and policies that support the unique health needs of LGBTQ+ individuals are critical to ensuring the health of our larger world community. “A third of LGBT adults say that a doctor or another health care provider has treated them unfairly or with disrespect, compared with about 15% of adults who don’t identify as LGBT... and more than 33% of LGBT adults have said they’ve become less likely to seek health care or have switched providers, compared to about 15% of other adults.” - CNN Health April 2024 The FSi Strategy team is allied with the LGBTQ+ community and is committed to doing work that will improve the health and care experience for all.    https://lnkd.in/gW4aTEgN  #PrideMonth #HealthForAll #LGBTQHealth #InclusiveHealthcare 

Discover how a digital tool is helping a specialty clinic collect SOGI data and close LGBTQ healthcare gaps while streamlining clinical workflows. #Healthcare #HealthIT

Symposium speaker highlight! Mrigank Shail, MD will speak about learning from approaches to community engagement and equity initiatives to foster trust in health systems. "Community engagement and equity initiatives are integral to public health efforts, particularly during infectious disease outbreaks. Dr. Shail’s talk will showcase the collaborative efforts between the World Health Organization and #LGBTQ+ communities and leaders during the MPOX and COVID-19 outbreaks, highlighting strategies to foster trust in health systems and the importance of tailored approaches to engagement and equity. During the MPOX outbreak, WHO actively collaborated with LGBTQ+ community leaders and organizations to develop culturally sensitive messaging, inclusive healthcare services, and targeted outreach initiatives. By involving LGBTQ+ leaders in decision-making processes, WHO promoted community ownership and trust, enhancing the effectiveness of outbreak response efforts. Similarly, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO prioritized engagement with post-COVID [Long-COVID] condition communities to address intersecting health disparities and systemic inequities. Leveraging digital platforms, social media and virtual forums, WHO facilitated dialogue and exchange between health authorities and advocates, ensuring #CommunityEngagement and #equity endeavours to promote trust in health systems." Plenty of virtual tickets remain. Register now! https://lnkd.in/gTiqFeWD

LGBTQ+ health disparities are driven largely by persistent structural inequities and biases in healthcare. Recent studies show the urgent need for better research, education, and care for sexual and gender minorities! Addressing these disparities requires collaboration among policymakers, clinicians, and LGBTQ+ communities to build more inclusive health systems. #Healthcare #HealthEquity #LGBTQ

As Pride Month comes to a close, Rivia Health reaffirms our year-round commitment to inclusivity in healthcare. Our automated patient payment solution features preferred name recognition, fostering respect and comfort for all patients, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. Don't just take our word for it. Check out the testimonial from Mazzoni Center below. They highlight how our preferred name feature is "very important for the demographic of patients we serve." Why does this matter? Using a patient's preferred name: -Improves patient comfort and trust -Aligns with healthcare best practices -Supports diverse identities and experiences As Mazzoni Center notes, Rivia Health not only enhances inclusivity but also streamlines the payment process, reducing inquiries and increasing on-time payments. We challenge healthcare providers: How can you enhance inclusivity in your services? Learn more about Rivia Health's inclusive approach to healthcare payments on our website. Let's champion inclusivity in healthcare, today and every day. #HealthcareInclusion #PrideMonth #PatientCenteredCare