Protocol for the development and validation of the Professional Readiness in Diversity and Equity (PRIDE) Scale (Preprint)

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Providing culturally competent care to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI+) people remains a critical challenge in health and social support care, as LGBTQI+ patients continue to experience stigma, discrimination, and inadequate provider knowledge. These barriers can negatively impact healthcare outcomes, leading to delayed treatment, mistrust, and unmet medical needs within LGBTQI+ communities. </sec> <sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> The aim of the study is to develop and psychometrically validate a new multi-national instrument designed to assess healthcare professionals’ LGBTQI+ attitudes, awareness, general skills, and knowledge as well as examine LGBTQI+ workplace affirmative policies, support, and climate. </sec> <sec> <title>METHODS</title> A cross-sectional multi-center, multi-country scale validation study using a web-based survey was administered to healthcare professionals and trainees in Italy, the United States, and the United Kingdom between October 2024 and December 2025. The final primary survey comprised 39 test items. A convenience sampling approach was adopted and complemented by snowball recruitment. </sec> <sec> <title>RESULTS</title> A total of 1339 eligible people completed the survey. Data analysis has started, and results will be reported in the summer of 2026. It is anticipated that the PRIDE scale will emerge as a reliable and valid tool for assessing healthcare professionals’ LGBTQI+ attitudes, awareness, general skills, and knowledge as well as examining LGBTQI+ workplace affirmative policies, support, and climate. The instrument may also serve as a useful outcome measure in research evaluating professional practice and development. </sec> <sec> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> The development and validation of the new PRIDE scale represent a significant advancement towards improved cultural competence of healthcare professionals. Validating the scale in both English- and Italian-speaking populations will support the development of international interventions and, ultimately treatment outcomes for LGBTQI+ people. The PRIDE Scale has the potential to exert a far-reaching impact on the delivery of clinical care and public health services worldwide. </sec>