Pride Month: Raising Awareness for Patient Needs

June is national Pride Month—commemorating years of struggles for civil rights for the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other) community and a celebration of LGBTQ+ culture.

It's also an important time to talk about the specific health care needs of our LGBTQ+ patients. Patients identifying as LGBTQ+ have often faced barriers that prevent them from getting basic medical care and from having the same access to health care as other populations.

Because LGBTQ+ individuals are from all ethnicities, races, backgrounds and places, they may already experience barriers to health care. A lack of education and cultural awareness among health care professionals in caring for LGBTQ+ patients has also historically created unwelcoming medical settings that prompt patients to put off needed care.

These barriers can lead to a disparity in health care services and poorer health outcomes.

An article published by Health states that in 2016, the LGBTQ+ community was identified as a health-disparate population by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, partly because individuals who identify with this group have less access to health care.

There are many factors involved as to why LGBTQ+ patients may not get basic medical care and knowing those barriers is the first step to better meeting their health care needs.

One Way We’re Helping

According to the American Cancer Society, lesbian and bisexual women are at an increased risk for different cancers, including breast cancer, because they often don’t get routine screenings. Fear of discrimination and negative experiences with health care providers are two reasons why they don’t access regular medical care.

On Saturday, Aug. 13, we are offering screening mammograms for LGBTQ+ women, nonbinary and intersex individuals in the Roanoke area. These screenings will occur in a welcoming, confidential and safe environment for patients to discuss health needs and receive care.

For more information, there is a flyer about our LGBTQ+ breast screening.

How You Can Help

Being knowledgeable and knowing how to communicate with LGBTQ+ patients can improve their health care experience. Here are some tips:

• Be respectful.
  President and CEO Nancy Howell Agee affirmed in her 2021 Diversity video that we have a commitment to providing hope and healing to all.
  • Approach all patients with open-mindedness and nonjudgement. A number of health care disparities that are linked to higher health risks exist for LGBTQ+ individuals; a positive experience improves their chances of seeking timely and needed care.
     
• Understand proper terminology.
  Sexual orientation and gender identity are not the same and can be confusing at times.
  • Sexual orientation is an inherent emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people.
  • Gender identity is one's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither—how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. Someone's gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.
  • Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation, so transgender people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc.
     
• Use gender-neutral language.
  The correct use of pronouns and preferred name are important to all of our patients. If you are unsure, ask patients what they prefer you use. Apologize if you use the incorrect one and correct going forward.
   
• Ask open-ended questions.
  For example, you might ask, “Is there anything else that would help me make sure you get the most out of this visit?” This gives patients an opportunity to share relevant health information that will enhance the patient experience and improve health outcomes.
   
• Learn about the health risks for LGBTQ+ patients.
  Many patients when faced with discrimination put off seeking health care in a timely fashion; therefore, this population tends to have higher rates of substance misuse, cancers, anxiety and depression and other medical conditions. Helping our patients feel welcome and engaging them in their health care journey will help decrease these risks over time.

If you have questions, contact the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

• Dr. NL Bishop - nlbishop@carilionclinic.org
• Briana Apgar - blapgar@carilionclinic.org

Sources

bloom-obgyn.com/pride-month-2021-exploring-lgbtq-health-disparities/

health.com/mind-body/lgbtq-health-disparities

cancer.org/healthy/cancer-facts/cancer-facts-for-lesbian-and-bisexual-women.html

cdc.gov/lgbthealth/women.htm