Patient Safety Concerns in the LGBTQIA+ Community
June is Pride Month, a perfect time to reflect on issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community, including patient safety concerns. This community faces many unique challenges, ranging from social stigmas and discrimination to a lack of culturally competent healthcare providers. Below, Pegalis Law Group, LLC examines the most common patient safety concerns in the LGBTQIA+ community that significantly impact patient well-being. These concerns are crucial for healthcare providers and society to understand in order to foster an inclusive environment promoting healthcare equality.
Higher Risk for Certain Mental & Physical Health Conditions
LGBTQIA+ individuals may be at a higher risk for certain mental and physical conditions, including HIV, AIDS, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, self-inflicted injuries, suicide, and more. Having limited access to a supportive network can increase feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety, or social rejection, which can worsen such conditions. Elevated stress levels and higher smoking rates can put these individuals at a greater risk for developing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Ensuring LGBTQIA+ patients have access to necessary healthcare is essential. However, many obstacles may prevent such individuals from feeling safe in a healthcare setting.
Discrimination in Healthcare Settings Causing Delayed Care
Everyone needs medical care, but LGBTQIA+ individuals may experience discrimination or bias when seeking it. Healthcare providers may have conscious or unconscious biases affecting their treatment of LGBTQIA+ patients, which can lead to worse outcomes for many. Fear of discrimination may prevent LGBTQIA+ individuals from seeking necessary healthcare screenings and treatments, leading to significant delays in care. Negative experiences in healthcare settings may cause LGBTQIA+ patients to avoid medical care altogether, resulting in untreated health conditions, misdiagnoses, or delayed diagnoses. The anxiety and stress caused by anticipating discrimination can also worsen mental health.
Access Issues & Economic Barriers to Receiving Healthcare
Economic disparities further exacerbate health issues within the LGBTQIA+ community. Workplace discrimination can cause higher rates of unemployment among these individuals, which in turn affects their access to healthcare. LGBTQIA+ individuals are also more likely to be uninsured or underinsured, limiting their access to the necessary medical care many of us take for granted. The medical field has been working to strengthen support networks and resources tailored to the LGBTQIA+ community to help bridge these access and economic gaps. However, insurance reforms are needed to ensure comprehensive care is available for LGBTQIA+ individuals, including gender-affirming treatments.
A Lack of Communication & Trust With Healthcare Providers
Many LGBTQIA+ patients may not feel comfortable disclosing their private health information with healthcare providers due to a general lack of trust and communication. This may lead to missed health screenings or a lack of proper health screenings to ensure everything is well. The absence of training on LGBTQIA+ health matters can lead to unsafe medical practices. For example, healthcare providers might not be aware of the specific health risks or medical needs of transgender patients undergoing hormone therapy or pregnancy. By asking more questions about gender identity beyond the sex listed on a patient’s birth certificate, healthcare providers can make better-informed decisions on care. Open communication and creating more two-way dialogue are crucial for addressing patient safety concerns.
What Healthcare Providers Can Do to Correct These Issues
Healthcare providers must undergo more training and education to expand their knowledge base concerning sex, sexuality, and gender. Incorrectly addressing a patient using a name or gender pronoun not reflecting their gender identity can cause severe emotional distress. This practice disrespects the individual’s identity and can deter them from seeking further care. Furthermore, outing a patient’s sexual orientation or gender identity without consent (whether intentionally or accidentally) can also have severe repercussions on their mental health and personal life. Stricter confidentiality measures must be implemented to protect sensitive patient information from breaches.
LGBTQIA+ patient-centered training can help create more culturally competent healthcare providers. Modern medical schools are beginning to include more information about transgender health issues, treatments, and medicine in their curriculums to help bridge the knowledge gaps. Healthcare providers must commit to creating a safe, inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ patients. This includes ongoing education on their health needs, adopting inclusive language practices, ensuring patient confidentiality, and actively working to eliminate discrimination and bias within healthcare settings. Addressing LGBTQIA+ patient safety concerns is a critical step in creating safer healthcare practices for all.
Representing Medical Malpractice Patients for 50+ Years
Pegalis Law Group, LLC has 50+ years of experience representing individuals with personal injury and medical malpractice claims in the New York region. Learn more about healthcare issues and receive additional insights by visiting our website and following us on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.