Scenario
A patient presents to your office who self-identifies as lesbian and uses she/her/hers pronouns. She is experiencing symptoms of a possible vaginal infection.
You know that the population she identifies with experiences major barriers to health care, including a history of negative health experiences as well as a lack of clinician knowledge and financial barriers.
Assessment Deliverable
Consider the patient in the scenario and how would you approach your assessment of the patient.
Create an 8- to 12-slide presentation, with speaker notes, in which you address the following:
Give examples of sexual and reproductive health disparities related to caring for patients in the LGBTQ community.
Describe the barriers this population may face in accessing health care.
Explain the strategies you can use to decrease the patient’s discomfort while you are assessing them.
Give examples of how you will use appropriate wording that is inclusive and considers the patient’s identity and pronouns during your assessment.
Discuss resources available in your community to providers and patients regarding health care for individuals in the LGBTQ community.
Discuss how the patient’s age may influence the assessment. If this patient were an adolescent versus an older adult.
Addressing Sexual and Reproductive Health Disparities in LGBTQ+ Patients: A Guide for Healthcare Providers
Slide 1: Title Slide
Slide 2: Understanding LGBTQ+ Health Disparities
Addressing Sexual and Reproductive Health Disparities in LGBTQ+ Patients: A Guide for Healthcare Providers
Slide 1: Title Slide
Slide 2: Understanding LGBTQ+ Health Disparities
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STI infections
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Cardiovascular disease
Slide 3: Examples of Sexual and Reproductive Health Disparities
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Example 1: Lesbian, bisexual, and other women who have sex with women (WSW) may experience delayed or inadequate access to cervical cancer screenings.
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Example 2: Transgender individuals may face challenges accessing gender-affirming healthcare, including hormone therapy and surgeries.
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Example 3: LGBTQ+ youth are at increased risk for experiencing bullying, discrimination, and mental health issues, impacting their sexual and reproductive health outcomes.
Slide 4: Barriers to Healthcare Access for LGBTQ+ Individuals
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Discrimination: LGBTQ+ individuals may experience discrimination from healthcare providers due to lack of knowledge, bias, or prejudice.
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Fear of Judgment: Fear of judgment or negative experiences can deter LGBTQ+ individuals from seeking healthcare.
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Lack of Provider Competence: Many healthcare providers lack adequate training and knowledge about LGBTQ+ health issues.
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Financial Barriers: LGBTQ+ individuals may face financial barriers to accessing healthcare, such as high costs for gender-affirming care or lack of insurance coverage for LGBTQ+-specific services.
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Lack of Cultural Competence: Healthcare settings may lack cultural sensitivity and understanding of LGBTQ+ identities and needs.
Slide 5: Strategies for Reducing Patient Discomfort During Assessment
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Build Rapport: Establish a welcoming and comfortable environment.
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Active Listening: Engage actively, showing empathy and understanding.
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Use Open-Ended Questions: Encourage the patient to share their experiences.
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Respect Confidentiality: Ensure confidentiality and privacy throughout the assessment.
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Address Language: Avoid using gendered terms or assumptions.
Slide 6: Using Inclusive and Respectful Language
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Use Patient’s Preferred Pronouns: Always use the patient’s preferred pronouns (e.g., she/her/hers).
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Avoid Assumptions: Don’t make assumptions about the patient’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
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Use Gender-Neutral Language: Emphasize gender-neutral terms, such as “partner” instead of “boyfriend/girlfriend.”
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Respectful Terminology: Use respectful language, avoiding terms like “homosexual” or “transgendered.”
Slide 7: Resources for LGBTQ+ Healthcare
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National LGBTQ Task Force: Provides resources, advocacy, and training on LGBTQ+ health issues.
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GLAAD: Offers media resources and information on LGBTQ+ representation and health.
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The Trevor Project: A suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ youth.
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SAGE: Provides services and advocacy for LGBTQ+ elders.
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Local LGBTQ+ Organizations: Many communities have local organizations that offer support and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Slide 8: Age-Specific Considerations
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Adolescents: May face additional challenges due to family dynamics, peer pressure, and lack of access to confidential services.
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Older Adults: May experience ageism, isolation, and difficulty accessing gender-affirming care due to limited provider knowledge or acceptance.
Slide 9: Key Principles for Inclusive Care
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Respectful and Non-Judgmental: Treat all patients with dignity and respect, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
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Cultural Competence: Develop an understanding of LGBTQ+ cultures and identities.
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Confidentiality and Privacy: Maintain confidentiality and respect the patient’s privacy.
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Advocacy: Advocate for the health needs of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Slide 10: Continuing Education and Training
Slide 11: Conclusion
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Reinforce Key Messages: Emphasize the importance of inclusive, respectful, and knowledgeable care for LGBTQ+ individuals.
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Call to Action: Encourage providers to actively seek out resources and engage in continuous learning to improve their skills and support LGBTQ+ patient needs.
Slide 12: References
Speaker Notes:
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Engage with the audience: Use interactive elements, questions, and prompts to encourage participation and discussion.
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Share personal experiences: Share relevant personal stories or experiences to connect with the audience on a human level.
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Emphasize empathy and respect: Highlight the importance of treating all patients with dignity and compassion.
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Provide practical tips: Offer concrete strategies and examples that providers can use in their daily practice.
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Encourage action: Call on providers to commit to improving their knowledge and skills related to LGBTQ+ health.
