Exploring health care professionals’ experiences of supporting LGBTQ+ patients: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Patients from the LGBTQ+ community report negative healthcare experiences, such as healthcare professionals (HCPs) making assumptions about their identities. Research shows that HCPs report not having enough knowledge to facilitate an open conversation with patients from the LGBTQ+ community, leading to patients feeling ignored. Aims: To explore HCPs’ experiences of supporting patients from the LGBTQ+ community. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with HCPs recruited from the research teams’ professional network. Data were analysed using deductive thematic analysis. Findings: HCPs reported positive and negative experiences, as well as a variety of barriers and facilitators to effective communication, with patients from the LGBTQ+ community. HCPs discussed how clinical practice could improve, for example, by developing more inclusive training that is specific to the HCPs’ clinical group. Conclusion: HCP training needs to be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ identities. It should be tailored to the HCPs’ patient group as this better reflects the varied needs of different clinical groups. Chelsea Pearce and Claudio di Lorito explore health care professionals’ experiences of supporting LGBTQ+ patients