Utilization of telemedicine in healthcare delivery to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQIA+) populations: a scoping review.

This scoping review examines how telemedicine addresses healthcare needs in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQIA+) community, focusing on gender-affirming care, mental health, and testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted to identify studies published until March 2024 focusing on telemedicine services for LGBTQIA + individuals. Data extraction captured study characteristics, telemedicine applications, and patient and provider satisfaction, and was synthesized to map current knowledge and identify gaps. Thirty-eight studies, comprising observational studies and one randomized controlled trial, were included, encompassing 21,774 participants. Telemedicine facilitated access to gender-affirming care, reduced mental health disparities, and supported HIV and STI testing, with high satisfaction reported among patients and providers. It was particularly effective in reducing appointment no-show rates, enabling remote initiation of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, and offering mental health support through virtual counseling. The studies also highlighted increased telemedicine adoption for follow-up visits and medication management. However, challenges like digital privacy concerns, technological accessibility, and cultural competence were identified. Telemedicine holds significant potential to improve healthcare access and outcomes for LGBTQIA + populations, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Future efforts should focus on enhancing provider training, ensuring digital equity, and developing culturally competent telehealth models to fully realize these benefits. The findings can inform the design of inclusive telemedicine policies and services tailored to the needs of LGBTQIA + individuals.