Increasing Effective Mental Health Care for LGBT Clients

The overall aims of the 5-year University of Maryland Prevention Research Center (UMD-PRC) Core Research Project are to identify, refine, implement, evaluate, translate, disseminate, and communicate approaches and tools that can be used to improve the competency of mental health care for LGBT persons which is a social determinant of LGBT health disparities. The UMD-PRC research team, in collaboration with the community advisory board (CAB), have identified 5 evidence based resources (Tools) to improve health care competency with sexual and gender minority populations (lesbian/gay, bisexual, and transgender \[LGBT\] people). The UMD-PRC will use the Sexual and Gender Diversity Learning Community (SGDLC) program (Strategy) and these tools along with technical assistance (TA) to improve LGBT mental health care. The following hypothesis will be tested. The study intervention group will show an increase in a) organization-level LGBT-friendly policies and environment as observed by the researchers and b) LGBT competent clinician practice assessed through clinician self-reported preparedness, awareness, and knowledge as well as referral for co-occurring client health needs; client-reported satisfaction with therapy and health literacy; and research team assessment of clinician performance providing consultation to a standardized LGBT patient actor.