Compassionate, Inclusive, and Competent Healthcare: Focus on the LGBTQIA+ Community

While most healthcare providers are compassionate and want to provide optimal care to their patients, implicit biases exist. Healthcare providers may not be aware of implicit biases, which may be subtle and unintentional, that can influence clinical interactions, lead to a lack of trust between the patient and the healthcare provider, and result in healthcare disparities.

Affordable Care Act Prohibits Discrimination
Studies have shown that the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual) community faces discrimination in their access to healthcare. Additionally, research shows that one quarter of LGBTQIA+ people who faced discrimination postponed or avoided receiving needed medical care for fear of further discrimination.

Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (Section 1557) prohibits discrimination against individuals based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability in covered health programs or activities. Discrimination based on sex includes discrimination based on sexual orientation, and discrimination based on gender identity.

Providing Quality Care to All
To proactively provide quality, competent healthcare, take steps to actively overcome your biases.

• Avoid making assumptions regarding gender identity and sexual orientation. Only use gender pronouns when certain of the patient’s gender identity and/or preferred pronouns. You can ask patients privately for their preferred name and pronouns, and document for future reference for you and your staff.
• Ask more open-ended questions. For example, while taking a history, do not assume an individual has an opposite sex partner. For example, ask, “Are you in a relationship?” These kinds of open-ended questions allow patients to communicate freely, which helps them to better discuss their needs and thoughts.
• Educate yourself about the LGBTQIA+ community and become familiar with local LGBTQIA+ healthcare resources. By learning to care for individuals in this community with sensitivity and understanding, you can help avoid and decrease the risk of further health-related issues.

Taking these steps can help you provide better care to the LGBTQIA+ community, and be a more informed practitioner in general.

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