“Treat us with dignity”: a qualitative study of the experiences and recommendations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) patients with cancer

Abstract

Despite indications that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) patients have unique needs when seeking healthcare, the experiences of LGBTQ patients in the context of cancer care have not been fully explored. This qualitative study investigated recommendations offered by LGBTQ patients with cancer for improving cancer care. Methods: 273 LGBTQ people across the United States who had been diagnosed with cancer completed an online survey that included open-ended questions. Using responses to these questions, two researchers independently conducted open coding. A code book was generated collaboratively and the data were coded independently. Codes were clustered and refined and the data were independently re-coded. Results: Five themes emerged. LGBTQ patients with cancer: (1) are affected by providers' LGBTQ-specific knowledge and skills, assumptions, and mistreatment; (2) negotiate disclosure of identities based on safety of clinical encounters; (3) have differing experiences based on multiple intersecting identities; (4) receive more effective care when members of their support networks are included; and (5) are self-advocates and undergo transformative experiences in the face of morbidity and marginalization.

‘Treat me with respect’: transgender persons’ experiences of encounters with healthcare staff

“…Our findings highlighting the importance of respect and dignity in healthcare encounters also align with those of previous research on the experiences of LGBTQ people in general [e.g. 10]. Using Mann’s (31) taxonomy of violations of dignity and Nussbaum’s (32) human capabilities approach, we will focus this discussion on understanding transgender persons’ encounters with healthcare staff as dignity encounters and consider the impact of healthcare encounters on the possibility of transgender persons living lives of dignity.…”

“…The experiences of transgender persons have often been studied together with those of LGBTQ + persons in general (10)(11)(12). To the best of our knowledge, only a few recent research studies of experiences with health care have a specific focus on transgender persons' perspectives (4,9,(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20).…”

Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life and Health Behaviors Among Lesbian, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Women Surviving Cancer from the 2013 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey

“…Unfortunately, physicians do not regularly ask about sexual orientation, 79 and LGB people report feeling unwelcome when accessing health care. 80 Routine assessment of sexual orientation may strengthen the patient-clinician relationship, create a safe environment for health care discussions, and foster healthy behaviors. 81,82 Inclusive intake forms help standardize sexual orientation and gender identity assessment.…”

A Framework for Enhancing Access to Equitable Home Care for 2SLGBTQ+ Communities

“…We now have a much deeper understanding of some of the issues of 2SLGBTQ+ access and equity within health and social care services in Global North societies, with the growing body of research on access to care pointing to the detrimental impact of inequities on the health and well-being of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and communities. A diversity of topics has been addressed within this scholarship and includes attention to challenges experienced across the life course such as those related to aging [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]; gender identity [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]; racialization [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]; Two-Spirit identity [ 24 , 25 ] health conditions [ 26 , 27 ]; rurality [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]; and health services policy and delivery [ 31 , 32 ].…”