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Does the I-CARE e-learning programme improve primary care physicians' competence in LGBTI health? Protocol for a two-arm, parallel-group, superiority randomised controlled trial in French-speaking Switzerland (EFFICARE study)

Bergonzoli K, da Rocha Rodrigues G, Del Río Carral M, Stanic J, Mabire X, Bochatay S, Amiguet M, Mueller Y et al.

BMJ open, 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or non-binary and intersex (LGBTI) populations experience persistent health inequities, including poorer mental and physical health outcomes and higher unmet healthcare needs compared with non-LGBTI populations. These inequities are partly attributable to insufficient training of primary care physicians (PCPs) in LGBTI health. However, evidence on effective and scalable training interventions for PCPs remains limited, particularly outside North America. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a self-directed e-learning programme-Improving Care and Access for Rainbow Equity (I-CARE)-designed to improve PCPs' knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviours related to LGBTI health.

Methods and analysis: We will conduct a type I effectiveness-implementation hybrid, two-arm, parallel-group, superiority randomised controlled trial among PCPs practising in French-speaking Switzerland. Eligible physicians will be randomly assigned (1:1) to either the I-CARE programme (intervention) or an e-learning programme on motivational interviewing (control) matched for format and duration. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, immediately postintervention and at the 3-month follow-up. The primary outcomes are knowledge and attitudes towards LGBTI patients assessed at the postintervention time point using validated scales. Superiority will be declared if the intervention group is statistically significantly superior to the control group on at…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.

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