Under pressure: developing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) inclusive emergency services

Abstract

Presenting the results from a survey exploring the understanding by emergency services personnel of the specific needs of LGBTI people before, during and after emergencies. The survey is part of a larger project assisting the emergency management sector to develop LGBTI-inclusive practices.

Let's bring emergency departments out of the closet: Improving care for LGBTQIA+

“…Although there sadly are some healthcare providers that hold discriminatory and hostile views toward LGBTQIA+ patients, 25,26 inequitable care cannot solely be explained by bigoted attitudes and behaviour of individuals. It reflects systemic discrimination and institutional failures, including: lack of training in medical school and specialty training programmes; 1,27 lack of high‐quality data and research; 28,29 and outdated healthcare systems designed predominantly for traditional binary gendered heterosexual communities 15,23 .…”

“…It reflects systemic discrimination and institutional failures, including: lack of training in medical school and specialty training programmes; 1,27 lack of high‐quality data and research; 28,29 and outdated healthcare systems designed predominantly for traditional binary gendered heterosexual communities 15,23 . A survey of Australian emergency healthcare providers noted that half of the participants did not think their organisation addressed the needs of LGBTQIA+ patients or encouraged a work environment that provides culturally safe care 25 . Other international research conducted in emergency care settings report that clinicians find caring for LGBTQIA+ populations challenging 26,30 .…”

“…Other international research conducted in emergency care settings report that clinicians find caring for LGBTQIA+ populations challenging 26,30 . Emergency care providers reported that they tend to avoid asking about sexual histories, struggle to maintain eye contact and find clinical examination on transgender/intersex patients more difficult 25,26 …”

“…Importantly, most clinicians want to improve their knowledge and believe LGBTQIA+ patients deserve equitable care 25–27,30 . Medical education has proven to be effective in improving providers' comfort level, attitude and communication when caring for LGBTQIA+ patients 31 .…”