A study by Mathews at al. (1986) surveyed 2,364 physicians of California’s San Diego County Medical Society to assess their attitudes towards homosexuality. Fortunately, this study took place before the media outburst on the relationship between the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and male homosexual behavior. This is essential because physicians’ genuine attitudes were quantitatively measured and can be compared post the widespread publicity of AIDS and homosexuality. Using the validated HATH (Heterosexual Attitudes Towards Homosexuality) survey instrument, Mathews et al.(1986) reported that of the physician respondents 37% had homophilic (favorable attitudes towards homosexuals), 40% were neutral, and 23% were homophobic. Women tended to be more homophilic than men, while men reported being more “undecided” than women. Those practicing in the public sphere had more positive attitudes towards homosexuality than those in private practice. In terms of physician specialty, the most homophobic were orthopedic surgeons (32%), and the least homophobic were psychiatrists (1.6%). General medicine/family medicine and obstetrics and gynecology physicians were approximately split equally in terms of homophobic, neutral, and homophilic attitudes. The least three homophobic specialties were also the most homophilic ones which in order ranked: psychiatry, pediatrics, and internal medicine. 30% said they disagreed that a highly qualified homosexual applicant be admitted to medical school. Respondents mostly opposed that homosexuals seek residency in the fields of psychiatry and pediatrics, ironically the least opposed to this were the psychiatrists, internists and pediatrics themselves. More than 40% of the respondents said they would discontinue referrals to homosexual pediatricians or psychiatrists.

Attitudes towards homosexuals are less homophobic in the western world. Thirteen years later after Mathews’ study, Téllez et al. (1999) sent out a survey to 1,949 physicians in New Mexico, of which 1,059 responded and 1,027 were found eligible. This study also utilized the HATH survey instrument. Of the respondents 95% had treated a patient who he/she knew to be gay or lesbian, and most has known a colleague, family member or close friend who was a homosexual. The results represent less homophobia (6.5%), less neutral (24%) feelings, and more homophilic (70%) tendencies than had those in Mathews at al. The most homophobic were those in private practice (9.3%) and least were those in academic medicine (1.2%). Homophobic scores ranged from 1.3% (psychiatry) to 9.5% (pathology and radiology). A high percentage of homophobia was noted among those who specialized in obstetrics and gynecology (9.4%). A notable 10% said that they were less accepting of homosexuals due to the AIDS epidemic.

In consistency with previous research, Téllez et al. noticed that most negative feelings towards homosexuals arose among those in medical specialties such as – orthopedic surgery, pathology, radiology, and obstetrics and gynecology. Anti-gay attitudes among physicians are decreasing; however a sizable 26.6% had reported some degree of discomfort in treating a homosexual patient which makes the quality of care questionable (Téllez et al., 1999). In Lebanon, apart from the services offered by NAP to LGBT and other individuals in the community, there are no assigned health services or health policies that include LGBT health issues. A study conducted by El-Kak et al revealed that sexual health in clinical practice in Lebanon is still inadequate, and obstetricians involved in the study demanded training on sexual health provision (El- Kak et al, 2004).

The aim of this survey is to assess attitudes, knowledge, and practices of health care providers (physicians) in various specialties in Lebanon regarding clients with varied sexual orientation. The outcome of the survey is expected to contribute to inclusion of LGBT health in health planning and to improve LGBT health and wellness.