Discrimination in health care is a problem for many and, when it occurs with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons in health care, can create additional barriers to serious illness care. These can include patients avoiding or delaying necessary care, providers disrespecting the wishes of surrogate decision makers, and adverse outcomes for patients and families.
A newly published study C-TAC supported used an online survey to determine the extent to which LGBTQ+ patients and spouses, partners, and widows experienced disrespectful or inadequate care due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Unfortunately, the study confirmed that discrimination towards this group persists. A total of 290 LGBTQ+ patients and partners reported high levels of disrespectful and inadequate care, including the following:
- 35% stating their provider was insensitive to them because of their identity
- 30% reporting their provider was unaware of their LGBTQ+ health needs
- 23% feeling judged
- 21% experiencing rudeness
- 20% stating providers did not use their correct pronouns
- 20% reporting their treatment decisions were disregarded
Black and Hispanic patients in the study were 2–4 times more likely than non-Hispanic White patients to report discrimination and this was also true for LGTBQ+ people living in politically conservative regions.
Recommendations to address this include clinician/provider education and policy solutions to protect federal and state civil rights. C-TAC supports these efforts and will continue to work with these researchers to share these findings and work to address them.
