In Our Own Words: A Qualitative Exploration of Complex Patient-Provider Interactions in an LGBTQ Population
While sexual and gender minorities are at increased risk for poor health outcomes, there is limited data regarding patient-provider interactions. In this study, we explored the perspectives of LGBTQ patients and their encounters with physicians in order to improve our understanding of patient-physi...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Programmes de bioéthique, École de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal
2019-07-01
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| Series: | Canadian Journal of Bioethics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://cjb-rcb.ca/index.php/cjb-rcb/article/view/119 |
| _version_ | 1827318150142623744 |
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| author | Saba Malik Zubin Master Wendy Parker Barry DeCoster Lisa Campo-Engelstein |
| author_facet | Saba Malik Zubin Master Wendy Parker Barry DeCoster Lisa Campo-Engelstein |
| author_sort | Saba Malik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
While sexual and gender minorities are at increased risk for poor health outcomes, there is limited data regarding patient-provider interactions. In this study, we explored the perspectives of LGBTQ patients and their encounters with physicians in order to improve our understanding of patient-physician experiences. Using purposive selection of self-identified LGBTQ patients, we performed fourteen in-depth semi-structured interviews on topics of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as their perceived role in the patient-provider relationship. Coding using a modified grounded theory approach was performed to generate themes. We identified three major themes that demonstrate the complexity of LGBTQ patient experiences. The first, Lacking trust, identifies mistrust and loss of the physician-patient relationship resulting from physicians’ poor or judgmental communication, or from physicians making assumptions about gender, using incorrect pronouns, and not recognizing heterogeneity within the transgender community. A second theme, Being vulnerable, describes the challenges and fears related to comfort of patients with disclosing their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. A final theme, Navigating discrimination, outlines racial or ethnic discrimination which creates an additional burden on top of illness and stigmatized identity. Our results reveal the complex needs of individuals with multiple stigmatized identities when developing relationships with providers. By using an intersectional perspective that appreciates the plurality of patients’ identities, providers can help to improve their relationships with LGBTQ patients. Incorporating intersectional training for medical students and residents could greatly benefit both LGBTQ patients and their physicians.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T23:53:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-709b5d41099149679d1097eedbf6ca1b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2561-4665 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T23:53:04Z |
| publishDate | 2019-07-01 |
| publisher | Programmes de bioéthique, École de santé publique de l'Université de Montréal |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Canadian Journal of Bioethics |
| spelling | doaj.art-709b5d41099149679d1097eedbf6ca1b2024-03-14T17:25:06ZengProgrammes de bioéthique, École de santé publique de l'Université de MontréalCanadian Journal of Bioethics2561-46652019-07-012210.7202/1062305arIn Our Own Words: A Qualitative Exploration of Complex Patient-Provider Interactions in an LGBTQ PopulationSaba Malik0Zubin Master1Wendy Parker2Barry DeCoster3Lisa Campo-Engelstein4Family Medicine, Harbor UCLA, Harbor City, USABiomedical Ethics Research Program and Center for Regenerative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USAPopulation Health Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, USAHumanities & Communication, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, USADepartment of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Alden March Bioethics Institute, Albany, USA While sexual and gender minorities are at increased risk for poor health outcomes, there is limited data regarding patient-provider interactions. In this study, we explored the perspectives of LGBTQ patients and their encounters with physicians in order to improve our understanding of patient-physician experiences. Using purposive selection of self-identified LGBTQ patients, we performed fourteen in-depth semi-structured interviews on topics of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as their perceived role in the patient-provider relationship. Coding using a modified grounded theory approach was performed to generate themes. We identified three major themes that demonstrate the complexity of LGBTQ patient experiences. The first, Lacking trust, identifies mistrust and loss of the physician-patient relationship resulting from physicians’ poor or judgmental communication, or from physicians making assumptions about gender, using incorrect pronouns, and not recognizing heterogeneity within the transgender community. A second theme, Being vulnerable, describes the challenges and fears related to comfort of patients with disclosing their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. A final theme, Navigating discrimination, outlines racial or ethnic discrimination which creates an additional burden on top of illness and stigmatized identity. Our results reveal the complex needs of individuals with multiple stigmatized identities when developing relationships with providers. By using an intersectional perspective that appreciates the plurality of patients’ identities, providers can help to improve their relationships with LGBTQ patients. Incorporating intersectional training for medical students and residents could greatly benefit both LGBTQ patients and their physicians. https://cjb-rcb.ca/index.php/cjb-rcb/article/view/119LGBTQhealth disparitiesintersectionalityhealthpatient-physician relationship |
| spellingShingle | Saba Malik Zubin Master Wendy Parker Barry DeCoster Lisa Campo-Engelstein In Our Own Words: A Qualitative Exploration of Complex Patient-Provider Interactions in an LGBTQ Population Canadian Journal of Bioethics LGBTQ health disparities intersectionality health patient-physician relationship |
| title | In Our Own Words: A Qualitative Exploration of Complex Patient-Provider Interactions in an LGBTQ Population |
| title_full | In Our Own Words: A Qualitative Exploration of Complex Patient-Provider Interactions in an LGBTQ Population |
| title_fullStr | In Our Own Words: A Qualitative Exploration of Complex Patient-Provider Interactions in an LGBTQ Population |
| title_full_unstemmed | In Our Own Words: A Qualitative Exploration of Complex Patient-Provider Interactions in an LGBTQ Population |
| title_short | In Our Own Words: A Qualitative Exploration of Complex Patient-Provider Interactions in an LGBTQ Population |
| title_sort | in our own words a qualitative exploration of complex patient provider interactions in an lgbtq population |
| topic | LGBTQ health disparities intersectionality health patient-physician relationship |
| url | https://cjb-rcb.ca/index.php/cjb-rcb/article/view/119 |
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