Conducting a Continuing Education Course for Healthcare Professionals on LGBT+ Healthcare Assistance Using a M-Health Solution: A Pilot Study

Addressing healthcare disparities within the LGBT+ community necessitates healthcare professionals (HCP) be better prepared to meet healthcare needs of diverse LGBT+ patients. This article aimed to verify the potential of an m-Health application "Over the Rainbow" to improve the knowledge of healthcare providers and evaluate user experiences of the app. We conducted a quantitative, pilot, and usability study involving healthcare students and professionals from both private and public health systems in Brazil. Data were collected via snowball sampling from June to December 2023. The study utilized a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Training Needs Analysis (TNA) tool, a pre- and posttest knowledge questionnaire, and the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ). A total of 29 participants answered all questions, with the majority identifying as female (89.7%), cisgender (100%), heterosexual (86.2%), most participants were nurses (students, 37.9%, nursing technicians, 24.1%) and from the South region of Brazil (65.5%). Only 13.8% of participants acknowledged having received prior continuing education related to LGBT+ health. The TNA indicated neutral to moderate knowledge background in the LGBT+ area. Regarding the UEQ, participants reported positive experiences with the m-Health application. The continuing education course utilizing an m-Health solution presented an opportunity to enhance competency in caring for LGBT+ individuals within healthcare settings.