LOS ANGELES, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- A survey by the Rand Corp. and the University of California, Los Angeles, found that few homosexual teenagers tell their doctors of their sexual orientation.

The survey of 131 lesbian, gay and bisexual teenagers participating in a Models of Pride Youth Conference found that 35 percent of respondents said their doctors were aware of their sexual preference, a great deal less than the 70 percent who said most people know of their orientation.

"We knew that the sample that we chose was going to be a very 'out' sample," said Garth D. Meckler, lead author of the study and an assistant professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics with the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Ore. "We figured they would have a higher disclosure rate than most youth, and yet, despite being out to almost everyone in their lives, only 35 percent had told their doctor about their sexual orientation."

Mark Schuster, another author of the study, said the findings should be a wakeup call to doctors.

"This is a reminder to physicians who take care of teens to try to create a comfortable, safe environment for young people to be open about their orientation, as well as other aspects of their sexuality," he said.