This document discusses a project aimed at improving the health of men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Interior of British Columbia by engaging local physicians. It provides background on health issues facing MSM, summarizes key findings from a 2010 health survey of MSM in the Interior, and outlines a presentation developed to educate physicians on addressing the needs of MSM patients. The presentation includes 5 guiding suggestions for physicians and was evaluated through an online quiz and questionnaire, finding that it provided clear information that could positively impact physician practice.

1. Improving the Health of Men
Who Have Sex with Men:
Engaging Local Physicians
Funding Provided By:
Irving K Barber School of Arts and Sciences
Institute of Health Living and Chronic Disease Prevention
UBC Okanagan
Principal Investigator: Susan Holtzman, PhD
Undergraduate Researcher: Karly Drabot
S
Page 1 of 20

2. Project Goals
(1) Increase physician awareness of the key
issues and concerns facing men who have sex
with men (MSM) in the Interior of BC
(1) Provide concrete suggestions and guiding
principles for how to best address the needs
of MSM
(1) Evaluate the effectiveness of
the method of dissemination

3. Previous Research on the Health
of MSM
• TWICE as likely to have unmet health care needs
• 50% of all new cases of HIV
• 70% of all new cases of infectious syphilis
• 17 times more likely to develop anal cancer
• 3 times more likely to seek treatment from a
psychologist
• 2 to 14 times more likely to commit suicide

4. BUT…
• Majority of research has been
conducted in major urban cities
• Research on MSM living outside these
major urban centres is severely lacking

5. The UBCO MSM Health Survey
In 2010, Dr. Holtzman‟s Health Psychology
laboratory conducted one of the first health
surveys of MSM living in the Interior of BC
• 160 MSM living in the BC
Interior
• Well-established, well-validated
measures of health and well-
being
• Questions regarding satisfaction
with health care providers and
treatment

6. Key Findings
1. ONE QUARTER (25%) reported
that they had NEVER been tested
for HIV
2. Over ONE THIRD (37%) had not
told their health care provider that
they have sex with men
3. 45% reported clinically significant
levels of depressive symptoms
6

7. Key Findings
4. 43% reported engaging in risky
sexual behaviour* with a male in
the past three months
5. ONE QUARTER (24%) reported
feeling “uncomfortable” or “very
uncomfortable” talking to their
health care provider about their
sexual health
6. 11% reported feeling
discriminated against by their
health care provider in the past 12
7

8. S

9. Design
1. Address six key
findings from the
Online UBCO MSM Health
Survey
PowerPoint
1. Provide suggestions
Presentation for improving practice
and communication
with MSM patients

10. Before we continue…
• Not all men who have sex with men (MSM)
consider themselves gay
• The term “MSM” includes men who may
or may not identify as gay or bisexual

11. Key Findings
Key Findings
“I cannot find a doctor to take me as a patient. They always tell me
HIV + Study to go to Vancouver, which is a 4+ hour drive from here.”
“I cannot find a doctor to take me as a patient. They always tell
“I cannot find a doctor to take me as a patient. They always tell
Study Participant
Participant
Participant (HIV+)
Quote
Quote me toto go to Vancouver, whicha 4+4+ hour drive from here.”!
me go to Vancouver, which is is a hour drive from here.”
• 11% reported feeling discriminated
11% reported feeling discriminatedprovider
against by their health care against by
their health care12 monthsthe past 12 months
in the past provider in
• Perceived discrimination can
Why is this
W hy is this • lead to a range of negative
Perceived discrimination can
important to
important to lead to a range of negative
physical and emotional
you? health consequences health
physical and emotional
you? consequences for M SM .
for MSM.

12. 5 Guiding Suggestions
1. Create a welcoming office
2. Use gender-neutral language and adopt
an inclusive attitude
3. Take a frequent sexual health history
4. Encourage regular HIV and STI testing
5. Screen for common mental health
concerns 12

13. Tip # 1
Post a rainbow sticker on
Post a rainbow wall or on
your office sticker
your office wall or window
window to communicate
that you provide thatopen
to communicate an you
provide an open office.
office.
*Many MSM report that this small gesture would
make a big difference.
*M any M SM report that this small gesture would
make a big difference.
Educate your MOAs and staff concerning the
Educate your M OA s and staff concerning the
need for increased awareness on MSM issues
need for increased awareness on M SM policies.
and institutional anti-discrimination issues and
institutional anti-discrimination policies.

14. Evaluate Effectiveness
of the Online Presentation
Multiple Choice Quiz
Assess if participants were paying
attention
Questionnaire
Assess content and impact of
presentation

15. Development of PowerPoint Presentation
Kevin Saya-Moore
Project Coordinator,
Engaging Physicians Project
Living Positive Resource Centre
Dr. Toye Oleyese
Champion Physician,
Engaging Physicians Project

16. Reaching the Physicians
Website
Study Invitation
Reed Scott
Coordinator,
Practice Support Program

17. Results
27 opened the study link  11 completed the
study
• 6 male & 5 female
GPs
• Age: 34 to 57
• Practicing: 7 to 34
years
• Heterosexual

18. In the future, how would you prefer to receive this type of
information? Please select all that apply.
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

19. Results
• 10 (of the 11) physicians agreed
that this new information provided
would have an effect on their
practice

20. Implications & Suggestions
MSM Health Survey
• Great need to increase physician awareness of
MSM and ease stigma against MSM living
outside of major urban cities in Canada
Online PowerPoint Presentation
• Need to recognize MSM within the health care
system
• Need for funding and resources to address and
reduce MSM stigma
• Need for further research on effective
dissemination methods within the medical
community

21. Dr. Irving K. Barber Endowment Fund
AIDS Community Action Program
Acknowledgement Public Health Agency of Canada
Dr. Susan Holtzman
s
Dr. Toye Oleyese
Mr. Saya-Moore
Mr. Reed Scott

22. Questions?

23. Quiz Questions
Correct
Responses
1. Why is the information in this presentation
important for you and your practice? 11/1
1
1. How many MSM in the BC Interior have not told
their physicians that they have sex with men?
10/1
2. What percentage of MSM reported clinically 1
significant levels of depressive symptoms at the
time of completing the survey?
8/11
3. Approximately ____ of MSM in the BC Interior
have not been tested for HIV.
7/11
4. What are some simple, yet significant, ways to
better serve MSM in the BC Interior?

24. Quiz Answers
1. a. MSM living in the BC Interior, and around the
world, often do not receive adequate care for their physical
and mental health
b. By providing adequate care for MSM, you are indirectly
extending your care to women and other men who are not
MSM
c. Substandard care of MSM is a primary factor in the
surge of HIV among MSM as well as lower health outcomes
overall.
d. All of the above
2. 37%
3. 45%
4. 1/4
5. a. Create a welcoming office
24
b. Use gender-neutral language and adopt an inclusive

25. Questionnaire Results
1. 11/11 agreed that the information in the
presentation was clear and concise
2. 8/11 disagreed that the presentation took up
too much of their time (3/11 reported „neutral‟)
3. 4/11 agreed that the information provided was
new to them (4/11 indicated „neutral‟ and 3/11
„disagreed‟)
4. 10/11 agreed that this new info provided
would have an effect on their practice