Barriers and Facilitators to Sexual Orientation Disclosure in Medical Settings: Perspectives from LGBTQ Patients and Healthcare Providers

Robert Andrew Eilola

Advisor: Gary L. Kreps, PhD, Department of Communication

Committee Members: Iccha Basnyat, Kevin B. Wight

Online Location, Zoom
November 26, 2024, 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM

Abstract:

Recently, lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people have begun to experience increased support and competent care in US healthcare settings. Yet, research overwhelmingly demonstrates that despite a decrease of prejudicial attitudes toward this community, large health disparities still exist between heterosexual and non-heterosexual people. Further, providers do not know how to broach conversations related to the sexual identity of their patients. The goal of this dissertation is to develop a training module for both medical students and healthcare providers on how to engage patients in conversations related to their sexual identity. The following research proposal aims to accomplish this task by interviewing healthcare providers and patients who self-identify as men who have sex with men (MSM) and women who have sex with women (WSW) and determine the variables in the coming out conversation. The overarching research question is: “What are the implications of sexual identity disclosure in the patient-provider relationship dynamic?”

 

In this study, 30-45-minute interviews were conducted with 24 MSM/WSW and 18 healthcare providers from a variety of demographics. Recruitment was accomplished with the use of purposive snowball sampling, as well as by advertising on social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter), and through contacting health care providers listed in the membership directory of GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality. This research has the potential to inform production of a medical communication training tool, which has implications for improving health outcomes, reducing disparities, and enhancing the overall quality of care for sexual minority patients.

Keywords: LGBTQ Health, patient-provider communication, outness

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