N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 9
gender with which they live authentically affirms them and helps
build the provider-patient relationship.
4. Speaking of intake forms, most I've seen need some revi-
sions. First, in addition to "married," "single," "divorced" and
"widowed," the form should include "partnered/living with part-
ner" as well as "multiple partners" or "dating." If your form asks
about "gender" or "sex," remember that the terms are not the
same. Sex essentially refers to a few components (gonads, exter-
nal genitalia, hormones, etc.) and is assigned by a medical
provider at birth as male, female, or sometimes, as intersex.
Gender refers to how we identify ourselves, and here there are
so many options that it might be best to offer man, woman, non-
binary, and "another gender" with a blank space. A final note: If
your form asks about orientation — lesbian, gay, straight, bisexu-
al, queer and asexual — remember that transsexual does not
belong here. Trans is related to gender, not sexual orientation.
5. When another person accompanies the patient, assume
nothing. Do not say things like "This must be your husband." That
could ruin your rapport. Just ask, "Who is this in the room with
you?" The same goes when you are asking about transportation.
Ask, "Who will be driving you home?" instead of, "Will your wife
be driving you home?"
6. Make sure the information on the intake form makes its way to
the whiteboards in the OR and PACU bays. The name the patient
goes by and the pronouns should both be written on the boards.
7. It may be tempting to gossip about LGBTQIA2S+ patients
when they're out of the room or under anesthesia: "He, she, it, I
don't know what to call them." Avoid this at all costs. Remember,
the colleague with whom you're gossiping may be LGBTQIA2S+
