Attitudes of future doctors towards LGBT patients in conservative Malaysian society

One challenge which confronts the acceptance of human diversity is the stigmatisation and discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) individuals in conservative societies. These societies can be influenced by culture and belief systems, reinforced by state policies which pose health and health care provision challenges. As significant players in the health of the nation, the attitudes of medical practitioners and the decisions influenced by them impact on health outcomes. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the associations between ethnicity, religion and gender with the attitude of clinical-year medical students toward LGBT patients. A modified 10-item Attitudes Toward LGBT Patients Scale (ATLPS-M) was used to assess attitudes towards LGBT patients. Data from 228 participants with valid responses were analysed using ANOVA for religion and ethnicity; and independent t test for gender. The mean scores of ATLPS-M was 38.5 (± 5.13). Significant differences were found between ethnicity, religions and ATLPSM scores, with medium effect size ω² measured at .10 and .10 respectively. Statistical differences were not found between genders and ATLPS-M score. Our findings reflect the association of ethnicity to attitudes of future doctors towards LGBT patients in the context of Malaysian society, where religion has been given great impetus with far reaching influence in shaping attitudes. Against the background of religion and ethnicity being intertwined in Malaysian society, complexities are highlighted.