Jane M Ussher1, Janette Perz2, Kimberley Allison2, Rosalie Power2, Alexandra Hawkey2, Gary W Dowsett3, Martha Hickey4, Chloe Parton5, Fiona E J McDonald6, Ian D Davis7, Gwendolyn P Quinn8, Katherine Boydell9, Kerry H Robinson10, Suzanne Chambers11, Antoinette Anazodo12. 1. Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: j.ussher@westernsydney.edu.au. 2. Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia. 3. Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne and the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. 5. School of Health, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand. 6. Canteen and Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. 7. Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University and Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia. 8. Departments of OB-GYN, Population Health, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, NY, USA. 9. Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. 10. School of Social Sciences and Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia. 11. Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Australia. 12. Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital and School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: There is growing recognition that health care professionals (HCPs) and policy makers are insufficiently equipped to provide culturally competent care to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) cancer patients and their families. We examined HCP attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding LGBTQI cancer care using a mixed-methods research design. METHOD: Surveys were completed by 357 oncology HCPs in nursing (40%), medical (24%), allied health (19%), and clinical leadership roles (11%); 48 of the surveyed HCPs were interviewed. RESULTS: Most HCPs reported being comfortable treating LGBTQI patients, but reported low levels of confidence and knowledge and systemic barriers to LGBTQI cancer care. Most wanted more education and training, particularly on trans and gender-diverse people (TGD) and those born with intersex variations. CONCLUSION: Education of HCPs and health system changes are required to overcome barriers to the provision of culturally competent cancer care for LGBTQI patients. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These findings reinforce the need for inclusion of LGBTQI content in HCP education and professional training curricula, and institutional support for LGBTQI-inclusive practice behaviours. This includes administrative and visual cues to signal safety of LGBTQI patients within cancer care, facilitating inclusive environments, and the provision of tailored patient-centred care.
OBJECTIVE: There is growing recognition that health care professionals (HCPs) and policy makers are insufficiently equipped to provide culturally competent care to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) cancer patients and their families. We examined HCP attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding LGBTQI cancer care using a mixed-methods research design. METHOD: Surveys were completed by 357 oncology HCPs in nursing (40%), medical (24%), allied health (19%), and clinical leadership roles (11%); 48 of the surveyed HCPs were interviewed. RESULTS: Most HCPs reported being comfortable treating LGBTQI patients, but reported low levels of confidence and knowledge and systemic barriers to LGBTQI cancer care. Most wanted more education and training, particularly on trans and gender-diverse people (TGD) and those born with intersex variations. CONCLUSION: Education of HCPs and health system changes are required to overcome barriers to the provision of culturally competent cancer care for LGBTQI patients. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These findings reinforce the need for inclusion of LGBTQI content in HCP education and professional training curricula, and institutional support for LGBTQI-inclusive practice behaviours. This includes administrative and visual cues to signal safety of LGBTQI patients within cancer care, facilitating inclusive environments, and the provision of tailored patient-centred care.
Authors: Christina L Tamargo; Edith P Mitchell; Lynne Wagner; Melissa A Simon; Ruth C Carlos; Bruce J Giantonio; Matthew B Schabath; Gwendolyn P Quinn Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2022-08-15