Even with these considerations, part of our conversation with the teens was to discuss the reasons why providers might ask specific questions about sexual practices and identities, with the intent of making these teens feel more comfortable discussing these topics with their doctor. However, it is important for physicians to recognize the privilege they hold. The doctor’s office might be the only space where LGBTQ+ teens feel comfortable and safe enough to share or discuss their identity with another person, so the ability to create space for this population is vital—creating space for them to be their true selves.
As someone who was a swim coach for many years and feels drawn to pediatrics, I really enjoyed developing this workshop. Children feed off of the energy you bring, which can be really exciting and inspiring at times, but also a humbling reminder to check in with yourself if you aren’t fully engaged in what you're doing. When we were debriefing about the workshop with the retreat organizers, they commented on the level of enthusiasm we brought and how it directly impacted how engaged the teens were, making this workshop a more impactful experience for everyone involved. Although my role was as an educator and mentor, the teens at the Campfire Institute retreat ended up teaching me new ways I can better serve my future patients.
In our On Doctoring sessions at UNE COM, we have learned that not being your authentic self can take up to 15 years off of your life. Creating space for someone to be their true selves is a relatively simple thing that physicians can do to drastically improve the health of their patients, making your patients more likely to not only follow-up on their health conditions but get the care they need to prevent disease in the first place. Granted, in the healthcare system we have, always crunched for time, the art of balancing being present for your patient and also leaving time to go see the next one is difficult to master, further demonstrating the need for these types of spaces. The space that the Campfire Institute creates at these retreats is invaluable to these kids. For a few days, they are able to be their true selves and build connections with others like them.