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LGBT Health education during the Covid-19 Outbreak: Opportunities and Vulnerabilities

Abstract:

Introduction:

The COVID-19 pandemic, and sanitary and social isolation measures imposed the need for restructuring health education, by migrating environments to digital technologies. As for health education for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transvestite and Transsexual (LGBT) population, a subject that is still in the process of being inserted in medical schools, this change brought new opportunities for discussion, but it also created and brought up pre-existing vulnerabilities.

Experience Report:

Around the country, during the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic period, there were several digitally-aided experiences of LGBT health education. At a University in Rio Grande do Norte, a non-mandatory discipline of Health Care for the LGBT Population, designed to be taught in a physical format, underwent modifications and ended up being offered remotely. The Semiology League at a College in São Paulo (SP) was forced to change its class with the same theme due to social isolation. In these and other experiences there were great challenges, but also a lot of innovation.

Discussion:

Those experiences brought into focus a series of opportunities and vulnerabilities in this moment of educational changes. Remote education exposed and expanded social inequalities due to the need for equipment and internet access, marginalizing a vulnerable portion of the population. Furthermore, the digital environment proved not to be a totally safe setting for LGBT people to speak their minds. In contrast, this method allowed for the expansion of the audience in some activities, resulting from digital environment cost reductions and lower geographical barriers. Also, there were expanded innovations in teaching tools, such as the use of podcasts and videos, making teaching and information dissemination processes more flexible.

Conclusion:

In view of the difficulties posed during these remote learning experiences, it is expected that, in the future, the lessons learned will lead to a more democratic curricular implementation of inclusive LGBT health activities in Universities.

Keywords:
Medical Education; LGBT Persons; Covid-19; On-line Education

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