Lesbian Care Research Articles

The Care of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Gender Diverse, Transgender, Questioning, Queer, Intersex, Two Spirit, and Asexual (LGBTQ+) Youth

The Care of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Gender Diverse, Transgender, Questioning, Queer, Intersex, Two Spirit, and Asexual (LGBTQ+) Youth

Considering "Spheres of Influence" in the Care of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender, and Queer-Identified Youth.

Working with lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, and queer-identified (LGBTQ) youth can present a uniquely challenging opportunity for clinicians given the rapidly changing landscapes of gender and sexuality and deficits in training and education. The goal of this article is to provide the most up-to-date trends and advances in the mental health care of LGBTQ youth to empower clinicians in delivering evidence-based care. We adapt the "Spheres of Influence" model to challenge the clinician to think more globally about our interventions. When LGBTQ youth are supported at every sphere, we give them the best chance to survive and thrive into adulthood.

Health care for LGBTI+ elders living in Nursing Homes.

to describe and analyze the scientific production on health care for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transvestites, Transsexuals, Transgenders, Intersex (LGBTI+) and other variations of gender or sexual orientation living in Nursing Homes (NHs). a scoping review, in which PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Virtual Health Library databases were analyzed and studies from other sources were added. After assessment by two independent reviewers, 19 publications were selected to compose the sample. the studies were grouped into two categories. NHs are configured as spaces that are not very inclusive, where LGBTI+ elders' demands are not considered due to the cis-heteronormativity in force in these places. Training and awareness of health professionals on the LGBTI+ theme is a tool that can make such spaces more inclusive for this population.

A Guide for Palliative Medicine Clinicians Taking Care of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Patients Using a Whole Person Care Approach (SA516)

•Understand the impact of spiritual and existential distress in LGBT patients with chronic medical illnesses.•Access tools and resources to support LGBT patients and families facing life threatening illnesses and uncertain legal protection state-by-state.•Assess the unique needs of transgender patients who are receiving care from faith-based organizations. In 2011, the Institute of Medicine report on the Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) People cited lack of legal protections and lack of social support as significant barriers to the quality of palliative care. LGBT patients have achieved expanded rights and access to health care. State health policy and legislation varies widely across the country and many states offer little legal protection to LGBT patients. LGBT patients living with chronic illnesses experience higher rates of depression and anxiety and more likely to have lower rates of satisfaction with care that they receive from health care providers (Kamen C 2015). Healthcare providers receive little training on caring for LGBT patients and often are unaware of educational and patient support resources for LGBT patients. While LGBT patients and their families are reported to have higher preferences for advance care planning, palliative care, and hospice many palliative care and hospice organizations lack policies and educational resources in regard to care of LGBT patients and families. Our transdisciplinary team of co-presenters includes representatives from medicine, advance practice nursing, social work and chaplaincy. The presenters will use case-based teaching to highlight the role of chaplaincy in assessing LGBT specific spiritual and existential distress. We will address the role of chaplaincy in promoting psychological well-being in LGBT patients by chaplain led Dignity Therapy. We will address the role of social workers to proactively promote formalized surrogate decision makers of LGBT patients’ preference, psychosocial well-being and resources to address variability in state protection for LGBT patients. We will address the role of hospice and palliative medicine teams in caring for transgender patients with advanced illnesses who are receiving care from faith-based and long-term care organizations. We will present resources for providers to educate their teams on caring and advocating for LGBT patients. •Resources to Improve The Quality Of Hospice And Palliative Care For Sexual And Gender Minority Patients And Families•Center of Excellence For Transgender Health - http://transhealth.ucsf.edu/•Hospice Foundation of America LGBT Resources- https://hospicefoundation.org/End-of-Life-Support-and-Resources/Coping-with-Terminal-Illness/How-to-Choose/LGBT-Resources•Lambda Legal Tools for Life and Financial Planning- http://www.lambdalegal.org/publications/take-the-power•LGBT best and promising practices for cancer care for LGBT patients and families throughout the cancer continuum- http://www.lgbthealthlink.org/Cancer-Best-Practices•LGBT Hospice and Palliative Care Network – https://lgbthpm.org/resources/•National Resources Center on LGBT Aging - http://LGBTagingcenter.org/resources•Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders- http://sageusa.care/ Institute of Medicine: The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People Building a Foundation for Better Understanding. Washington, DC: National Academy of Science, 2011. Kamen C, Mustian KM, Dozier A, Bowen DJ, Li Y. Disparities in psychological distress impacting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cancer survivors. Psychooncology 2015 24(11):1384-91.

Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers.

To identify the unique needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) cancer patients and caregivers, and review recommendations supporting more effective and inclusive palliative and end-of-life care. Published research and clinical guidelines. Transitions in care raise particular challenges for LGBT patients, including provider communication, perceptions of safety and acceptance, and assessing and respecting patients' definitions of family and spirituality. LGBT patients and their caregivers need competent nurses to support them, especially during transitions. Implementing LGBT-inclusive education, training, and practice will improve outcomes for LGBT cancer patients and their caregivers - and potentially all patients.

Improving Nursing Care for Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Women

Improving Nursing Care for Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Women

Access to fertility services for lesbian women in Canada

To determine reproductive services offered to lesbian patients by Canadian fertility clinics, policies of practice, ease of access to these services, and sensitivity of clinics to this population of patients. Survey sent to assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinic directors. Academic medical center, university-based ethics institute. None. None. The percentage of Canadian fertility clinics that will provide reproductive services to lesbian patients; services offered; the presence of clinic policies on lesbian care; and the presence on web sites of heteronormative material. Completed surveys were received from 71% (24/34) of clinics. All clinics surveyed provided reproductive services to lesbian patients, with the exception of one clinic. Five of 24 (21%) clinics have a written policy on care for lesbian patients; 29% (7/24) will provide services to lesbian patients without prior investigations. All clinics will offer IUI and cycle monitoring to lesbian patients. Twenty-three of 24 clinics (96%) will offer IVF services when required. Fourteen of 32 clinic web sites (44%) make mention of lesbian patients and 27% (8/30) have heteronormative information only. Lesbians encounter several barriers to accessing reproductive services in Canada. Addressing these issues could improve experiences of lesbian women and couples seeking care at fertility clinics.

Social Action Research: Influencing Providers and Recipients of Health and Mental Health Care for Lesbians

From 1994 through 1997, the Lesbian Health Care Project of Western New York (LHCP), a feminist social action research project, gathered region-specific information about lesbians' physical and mental health care. The project conducted a community survey, community focus groups, and a provider survey and developed and distributed a community resource book/directory of providers. This article describes the project and its findings and discusses social action strategies and implications for practice.

The Experiences of Lesbians of Color in Health Care Encounters

In this feminist narrative study, lesbians of color gave testimony to the effects of prejudice in face-to-face health care interactions. A major objective was to involve participants from a broad range of ethnic/racial backgrounds and socio-economic circumstances in open-ended interviews about their experiences receiving health care. Half of the 45 women in the sample were lesbians of color: 20% (9) African American, 18% (8) Latina, 11% (5) Asian/Pacific Islander, and 2% (1) Native American. Results suggest that if we wish to improve access to and quality of health services, those in the health care field must address race, class, gender, and sexual orientation prejudice in health care interactions, acknowledging the role discriminatory behavior plays in diminishing the availability of health care for lesbians of color.

HIV risk assessment and prevention in lesbians and women who have sex with women: Practical information for clinicians

Clinicians care for lesbians and women sexually active with women (WSWs) routinely in the course of practice. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now believe that there are small but significant numbers of lesbians with HIV infection and that woman‐to‐woman transmission of HIV is possible. Although the risk of HIV transmission between women, although underreported, is probably low, clinicians need a literature‐based practical understanding of how to assess WSWs for their HIV risk and counsel them appropriately about prevention of HIV transmission. Understanding sexual behaviors of WSWs the safer sex techniques that are appropriate for them, and the various ways in which lesbians may contract HIV are important to all primary care clinicians. This article also reviews the principles of communicating with lesbians and WSWs.

Lesbians and the Health Care System

Lesbians remain invisible within the health care system and have fewer contacts with health care providers. This article reviews the limited research available on health care for lesbians, including the research on the attitudes of health care providers towards lesbians, the health care seeling behavior of lesbians, and the barriers lesbians encounter in seeking care. The experience of lesbians with breast cancer is used to exemplify these issues. Social workers must evaluate and challenge their own attidudes, beliefs, and behaviors if they are to work with, and advocate for, lesbians within the health care system. Recommendations for practice are discussed.

Legal Issues in Health Care for Lesbian and Gay Men

The legal system in the United States is based on heterosexist assumptions which place gay men and lesbians in precarious positions when they face ill health or medical crises. This article discusses a number of these heterosexist assumptions and reviews some of the legal documents available to gay men and lesbians as a means to provide legal protection. While these legal documents are critical, they do not ensure that the wishes of gay men and lesbians will be honored if these wishes are challenged by family members. However, executing these legal documents is an important first step in honoring the wishes of gay men and lesbians. Changes in the laws which validate same sex relationships and give lesbians and gay couples the same legal protection and privilege as heterosexual marriage are mandatory.

Primary care of lesbian patients

Many primary care providers are presently caring for lesbian patients without recognizing their sexual orientation or their unique medical and psychological needs. Enhanced knowledge and skills will allow these physicians to provide optimal and sensitive patient care for lesbians. Clearly, much more research on this group is needed to provide appropriate guidelines for clinicians.

Health Care for Lesbians and Gays:

Despite the presence of many homosexuals among health care consumers, the health care system has traditionally functioned as if all consumers are heterosexual. This has served gay men and women badly, since they do have some unique health, care needs. Familiarity with these needs, and commitment to the social work values of self-determination and non-judgemental service. prepare the social worker lo serve as educator. ombudsman and advocate for gays and lesbians in the health care system.