Faces of U of T Medicine: Alex Coutin

June is Pride Month and we’re profiling faculty and students involved in the LGBTQ+ community. Alex Coutin is an MD student in the Faculty of Medicine, a social advocate and incoming Co-President of Out in Medicine, the faculty’s LGBTQ+ student club. We sat down with him to talk about social advocacy, medicine and musical theatre.

Tell us about your area of interest and what draws you to it.

Many areas within medicine interest me — sometimes it feels like too many! Before medical school, I was at McGill where I got to work in residence with first-year students. Working in the rez community sparked my passion for social justice, which I hope to carry with me throughout my career. So far, I’ve taken a strong interest in LGBTQ+ health — specifically trans healthcare — and medical education. I’d love to incorporate those aspects into whichever medical specialty I end up choosing.

How did you get involved in social advocacy and why is it important to you?

I think being a queer student allows me to appreciate the experiences of other marginalized people in our society. Of course, my experiences are not — and cannot — be the same as someone else’s, but I understand what it’s like to grow up and live in a world that isn’t built for you. Now that I get to have a voice, I don’t take that privilege lightly. I really think it’s important to give those whose voices have been systemically erased an opportunity to be heard.

I have a deep love for medicine, because it provides me with the ability to help so many people and devote my life to others in a positive way. While it’s frustrating to see when medicine sometimes still fails marginalized people, I’m excited for the changes that are coming. Everything within medicine seems to be turning towards more inclusive, open, supportive, socially competent and patient-centered care. I’m really happy I will be able to take part in that change.

I apply my advocacy in many ways. I am one of the incoming Co-Presidents of Out in Medicine, University of Toronto’s LGBTQ+ medical student club. I also partake in initiatives geared towards LGBTQ+ health and social justice in medical education, such as National LGBTQ+ Health Sub-Committee of the Canadian Federation for Medical Students (CFMS) and the Social Justice in Medical Education student club.

What do you think needs to change in medical education to better address LGBTQ+ issues?

I think we need to improve the education surrounding LGBTQ+ health, not only with regards to social competence and biopsychosocial understanding, but also in terms of the specific health issues that are prevalent in this community. LGBTQ+ people are more prone to mental health difficulties due to minority stress. Fertility is a difficulty for many queer couples. Hormone therapy and surgical care may be relevant in the care of transgender patients. Women who have sex with women (WSW) could have specific care needs when it comes to sexual & cervical health. LGBTQ+ people of colour experience minority stress that is compounded by the intersection of their gender, sexual, and ethnoracial identities. LGBTQ+ patients are less likely to disclose their gender and/or sexual identity to their doctors and are more likely to not seek out medical care, leading to continued poor health outcomes.

I think we’re certainly moving towards having these topics be core knowledge for physicians, but there’s still work and advocacy to be done. It's also important for medical schools to start encouraging LGBTQ+ people to consider medicine as a vocation, seeing as we’re underrepresented in medical schools across Canada. I think the perspective of such students or students who have worked with LGBTQ+ communities is very valuable.

What do you like to do when you’re not in school?

Whether it’s sitting on the couch and watching a show or going to explore the city, I really love to spend time with my roommates, friends, and family. I’m also a big musical theatre kid; I was part of the UofT Med musical Daffydil this year and honestly can’t imagine being in medical school without that experience. When I’m on my own, I listen to podcasts and on-demand radio. I like playing badminton with the MAMily, going to hot yoga, biking, and skiing.

What’s your favourite thing about Pride Month? Any plans for Pride?

It might sound corny, but my favourite part of Pride is the parade. I really love seeing the city turn into such an open space. It’s hard to explain to my colleagues and friends who aren’t LGBTQ+, but when you grow up and live in a world where you’re the (often invisible) minority, it’s really great to be in a space where you community makes up the majority. I plan to participate in a few Pride events with my best friends from home and school. I also plan to walk in the parade, so that’s very exciting!

Faces of U of T Medicine introduces you to some of the interesting people studying in the Faculty of Medicine. From advising political leaders to providing care to Toronto’s most vulnerable populations, our students are making an impact on communities at home and around the world.

Do you have an interesting story to share? Contact us at medicine.communications@utoronto.ca.