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Sperling D. Needs, Experiences, and Hopes for Aging Futures among Older Adults in the LGBTQ Communities: A Qualitative Study in Israel. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:3139-3150. [PMID: 39009741 PMCID: PMC11335906 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-02938-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals tend to live alone, mostly without children and with scarce support from nuclear family members or biological kin. Moreover, traditional resources may not suit their specific end-of-life care needs. While studies have examined these topics in general, they lack focus on end-of-life needs, care, and planning in Israel. Moreover, research on this topic among members of LGBTQ communities is specifically lacking. This study, therefore, aimed at identifying and understanding the attitudes, perceptions, and meanings of older LGBTQ individuals in Israel regarding their needs and challenges, as they age and near end of life. The phenomenological qualitative research methodology was applied, following the interpretive approach. Twenty-one middle-aged and older LGBTQ individuals in Israel, aged ≥ 55, participated in the study. In-depth semi-structured interviews, conducted from November 2020 to April 2021, were audio-recorded, transcribed, and de-identified. Five themes emerged from the interviews: (1) Experiences of loneliness, marginalization, and trauma, and coping through liberation; (2) ageism and exclusion of older adults; (3) elastic and challenging relationships; (4) end of life as reverting into the closet and heteronormativity; and (5) death as a source of generativity and creativity. The study demonstrates that loneliness is an existential experience, exacerbated by the intersectionality of LGBTQ communities. In turn, chosen family members play a minimal role in the end-of-life care of their loved ones. While conveying ambivalence toward social services and housing for the aging, participants in this study expressed fear of being discriminated against and having to re-enter the closet as they age. Ageism and end of life do not represent finality and extinction, yet instead, signify hope and revival. Following Sandberg and Marshall's (2017) concept of queering aging futures, this study refines our understanding of life courses, demonstrating that living and thriving in old age could be positive and desirable. As such, ageism and end of life do not necessarily represent finality and extinction, and may instead signify hope and revival. The unique challenges associated with family and social support of older adults who are LGBTQ members, and their implications on care, deserve further research and are important for practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sperling
- The Cheryl Spencer Department of Nursing, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mount Carmel, 3498838, Haifa, Israel.
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Winter N, Ugalde A, Coyne E, Dieperink KB, Jongebloed H, Livingston P. People affected by cancer and their carers from gender and sexually diverse communities: their experiences and the role of smartphone applications. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1649. [PMID: 38902694 PMCID: PMC11191337 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19144-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People living with cancer, or carers who are from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex or asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities experience unique information and support needs. Accessible technology-based resources providing tailored support are required to promote wellbeing, however this is a growing area of research requiring further investigation. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of healthcare services among people living with cancer, and their carers, who belong to sexual or gender diverse communities (LGBTQIA+), and identify how smartphone applications (apps) could support people from LGBTQIA + communities. METHODS This was a qualitative descriptive study where people living with cancer or carers from LGBTQIA + communities participated in phone interviews. Participants were recruited across Australia via social media advertisements, LGBTQIA + medical practices, and cancer advocacy groups. Participants were asked questions about their experiences, and were provided with screenshots of an existing app and asked to provide feedback on content and inclusiveness. Transcripts were coded and codes grouped together to form similar and concepts. Inductive and deductive analyses were used to create themes. RESULTS 13 patients (mean age 56 (SD:13)), and three carers (mean age 64 (SD:19)) completed phone interviews. The majority of participants identified their gender as female (patients n = 9, carers 3), and their sexuality as gay or lesbian (patients n = 10, carers n = 3). Four themes were created: (1) navigating disclosure in healthcare, described emotional challenges surrounding disclosure; (2) the power of positive experiences with clinicians, described positive interactions and gaps in care from clinicians; (3) impact of gender and sexuality on informal support, outlined support received from informal network and gaps in support, and; (4) opportunities to increase inclusivity in smartphone apps, generated ideas on how apps can be tailored to meet needs identified. CONCLUSION Disclosure of gender or sexuality, and interactions with clinicians had the potential to impact participants' experience of cancer care. Gaps in informal networks pointed at how to better support LGBTQIA + communities, and identified opportunities for inclusion in an app that will be tailored and trialled for this community. Future work should focus on addressing systems-level processes in acknowledging and supporting priority groups affected by cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Winter
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, The Centre for Quality and Patient Safety in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, 3220, Australia.
| | - Anna Ugalde
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, The Centre for Quality and Patient Safety in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, 3220, Australia
| | - Elisabeth Coyne
- School of Nursing, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Nursing, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Karin B Dieperink
- Family Focused Healthcare Research Center FaCe, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Hannah Jongebloed
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, The Centre for Quality and Patient Safety in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, 3220, Australia
| | - Patricia Livingston
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, The Centre for Quality and Patient Safety in the Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, 3220, Australia
- Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, 3220, Australia
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Robinson L, Matamoros C. Applied patient-level palliative care interventions designed to meet the needs of sexual and gender minorities: A scoping review and qualitative content analysis of how to support sexual and gender minorities at end of life. Palliat Med 2024; 38:69-84. [PMID: 38062858 PMCID: PMC10798012 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231214123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexual and gender minorities experience considerable health disparities across the life span. End of life presents unique challenges for this population, further exacerbating existing disparities. AIM We aimed to identify applied patient-level palliative care interventions for sexual and gender minorities and describe how said interventions met the needs of these populations at end of life. DESIGN We conducted a scoping review in keeping with the updated Arksey and O'Malley Framework. All included reports were analyzed qualitatively to describe the intervention and summarize thematically how it met the needs of sexual and gender minorities at end of life. DATA SOURCES We conducted searches in MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychInfo, and CINAHL from 1946 to June 10, 2023. Reports were eligible for inclusion if they described a palliative care intervention delivered to sexual and gender minorities, and if the palliative care intervention responded to at least one specific need of the sexual and gender minority population(s) in question. RESULTS We included and summarized 27 reports. We identified three overarching themes describing how palliative care interventions responded to the needs of sexual and gender minorities at end of life. CONCLUSIONS This review responds to a need to improve palliative care delivery for sexual and gender minorities. Recommendations derived from these interventions, including how to center and advocate for sexual and gender minorities at end of life, can be applied by any interdisciplinary palliative care provider.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Robinson
- Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Sinai Health System, Scarborough Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cam Matamoros
- Scarborough Health Network, Scarborough Center for Healthy Communities, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty School of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Tapper CX. Geriatric Palliative Care: Providing Excellent Care to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Older Adults. Clin Geriatr Med 2023; 39:359-368. [PMID: 37385688 DOI: 10.1016/j.cger.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
LGBTQ+ patients encounter discrimination and bias in health care settings. They experience worse health outcomes than their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts. There are numerous ways to provide equitable and comprehensive palliative care to seriously ill LGBTQ+ individuals. These strategies include communication techniques, encouragement to complete advance directives, implicit bias training, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey X Tapper
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 East Monument Street, Suite 8021, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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5
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Providing home hospice care for LGBTQ+ patients and caregivers: Perceptions and opinions of hospice interdisciplinary care team providers. Palliat Support Care 2023; 21:3-11. [PMID: 35586976 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951522000657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hospice patients and caregivers who are members of sexual and gender minority groups (i.e., LGBTQ+) have reported experiencing unmet needs at end of life (EOL). Negative experiences often stem from challenging interactions with healthcare providers due to ineffective or poor communication and providers' heteronormative assumptions and biases. Few studies, however, examine hospice care team (HCT) providers' knowledge, experience, and opinions related to EOL care for LGBTQ+ patients and caregivers despite this being identified as a gap in competency and education. We sought to examine HCT providers' perceptions regarding (1) awareness of LGBTQ+ patients and caregivers; (2) knowledge of specific or unique needs; and (3) opinions on best care and communication practices. METHODS Six focus groups conducted with HCT providers (n = 48) currently delivering hospice care in three US states were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data were content coded (κ = 0.77), aggregated by topical categories, and descriptively summarized. RESULTS Participants were mostly white and non-Hispanic (n = 43, 89.6%), cisgender female (n = 42, 87.5%), heterosexual (n = 35, 72.9%), and religious (n = 33, 68.8%); they averaged 49 years of age (range 26-72, SD = 11.66). Awareness of LGBTQ+ patients and caregivers depended on patient or caregiver self-disclosure and contextual cues; orientation and gender identity data were not routinely collected. Many viewed being LGBTQ+ as private, irrelevant to care, and not a basis for people having specific or unique EOL needs because they saw EOL processes as universal, and believed that they treat everyone equally. Providers were more comfortable with patients of lesbian or gay orientation and reported less comfort and limited experience caring for transgender and gender-diverse patients or caregivers. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS Many HCT members were unaware of specific issues impacting the EOL experiences of LGBTQ+ patients and caregivers, or how these experiences may inform important care and communication needs at EOL.
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Marr MC, Bunting SR, Blansky BA, Dickson L, Gabrani A, Sanchez NF. Graduate Medical Education Curriculum Regarding the Health and Healthcare of Older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Adults. JOURNAL OF GAY & LESBIAN SOCIAL SERVICES 2023; 35:420-433. [PMID: 38107508 PMCID: PMC10723790 DOI: 10.1080/10538720.2023.2172122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) adults experience a wide variety of unique challenges accessing healthcare. These barriers may be exacerbated among older LGBTQ+ people due to intersecting, marginalized identities. To prepare physicians to address the healthcare needs of older LGBTQ+ adults, graduate medical education (GME) must include training about the specific needs of this population. Prior studies demonstrate a lack of LGBTQ+ training in GME curricula. Here, we investigated the presence of LGBTQ+ curricula in internal medicine residencies and geriatrics fellowships through a national survey. Over 62.0% of internal medicine (n = 49) and 65.6% (n = 21) of geriatric medicine fellowship program directors, responding to the survey, reported content relevant to the health of older LGBTQ+ adults. Education about LGBTQ+ health in internal medicine residencies and geriatrics fellowships is vital for the provision of culturally-competent healthcare and to create an inclusive environment for older LGBTQ+ patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie C Marr
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Samuel R Bunting
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Bradley A Blansky
- Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Lexi Dickson
- School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Aayush Gabrani
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Nelson F Sanchez
- Associate Professor of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine & Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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Rosa WE, Roberts KE, Braybrook D, Harding R, Godwin K, Mahoney C, Mathew S, Atkinson TM, Banerjee SC, Haviland K, Hughes TL, Walters CB, Parker PA. Palliative and end-of-life care needs, experiences, and preferences of LGBTQ+ individuals with serious illness: A systematic mixed-methods review. Palliat Med 2022; 37:460-474. [PMID: 36475950 PMCID: PMC10171330 DOI: 10.1177/02692163221124426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals experience discrimination throughout the care continuum, including during serious illness and at end of life. High-quality palliative care requires that health professionals deliver individualized services that reflect the needs, experiences, and preferences of LGBTQ+ persons. AIM To identify and appraise existing evidence related to the needs, experiences, and preferences for palliative and end of life care among LGBTQ+ individuals with serious illness. DESIGN Data-based convergent synthesis design reported per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. DATA SOURCES PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus from January 1, 2010 to November 6, 2020. RESULTS Of 4875 results captured, 69 articles underwent full-text review and 13 were retained for analysis. Most studies were from North America with trans individuals represented in 10 of 13 studies. Needs (n = 6) included increased social support, institutional safety, economic and legal supports, and advocacy to mitigate health barriers.Experiences (n = 12) were driven by fear and worry associated with discrimination/stigma,providers' hetero-/cisnormative assumptions, homophobia and transphobia, social isolation, and an undignified death. Preferences (n = 6) pertained to inclusion of chosen families in decision-making, disclosure of LGBTQ+ identity based on safety of the clinical environment, and a desire to maintain autonomy. CONCLUSIONS The robustness of the science has improved regarding the needs, experiences, and preferences of trans individuals. Actionable, inclusive policies coupled with sustained and integrated cultural sensitivity training for health workers are mandatory. Interventional research is critical to enhance tailored palliative care for LGBTQ+ people and their chosen families.
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Affiliation(s)
- William E Rosa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kailey E Roberts
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Debbie Braybrook
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, England, UK
| | - Richard Harding
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, Cicely Saunders Institute, King's College London, London, England, UK
| | - Kendra Godwin
- Medical Library, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cassidy Mahoney
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shiyon Mathew
- Lienhard School of Nursing, College of Health Professions, Pace University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas M Atkinson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Smita C Banerjee
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kelly Haviland
- Advanced Practice Provider Division, Professional Development, Quality and Safety, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.,Supportive Care Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tonda L Hughes
- Center for Sexual and Gender Minority Health Research, Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chasity B Walters
- Patient Education & Engagement, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patricia A Parker
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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Cook C, Henrickson M, Schouten V. Palliative Care, Intimacy, and Sexual Expression in the Older Adult Residential Care Context: "Living until You Don't". INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13080. [PMID: 36293660 PMCID: PMC9603265 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Commonly, frail older adults move to residential care, a liminal space that is their home, sometimes a place of death, and a workplace. Residential facilities typically espouse person-centred values, which are variably interpreted. A critical approach to person-centred care that focuses on social citizenship begins to address issues endemic in diminishing opportunities for intimacy in the end-of-life residential context: risk-averse policies; limited education; ageism; and environments designed for staff convenience. A person-centred approach to residents' expressions of intimacy and sexuality can be supported throughout end-of-life care. The present study utilised a constructionist methodology to investigate meanings associated with intimacy in the palliative and end-of-life care context. There were 77 participants, including residents, family members and staff, from 35 residential facilities. Analysis identified four key themes: care home ethos and intimacy; everyday touch as intimacy; ephemeral intimacy; and intimacy mediated by the built environment. Residents' expressions of intimacy and sexuality are supported in facilities where clinical leaders provide a role-model for a commitment to social citizenship. Ageism, restrictive policies, care-rationing, functional care, and environmental hindrances contribute to limited intimacy and social death. Clinical leaders have a pivotal role in ensuring person-centred care through policies and practice that support residents' intimate reciprocity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Cook
- School of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 0627, New Zealand
| | - Mark Henrickson
- School of Social Work, Massey University, Auckland 0745, New Zealand
| | - Vanessa Schouten
- School of Humanities, Media and Communication, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
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Rosa WE, Banerjee SC, Maingi S. Family caregiver inclusion is not a level playing field: toward equity for the chosen families of sexual and gender minority patients. Palliat Care Soc Pract 2022; 16:26323524221092459. [PMID: 35462621 PMCID: PMC9021511 DOI: 10.1177/26323524221092459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- William E. Rosa
- Assistant Attending Behavioral Scientist, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 641 Lexington Avenue, 7th fl., New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - Smita C. Banerjee
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shail Maingi
- Dana-Farber, South Shore Hospital, South Weymouth, MA, USA
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Baskaran AB, Hauser J. Maya Ta Maya Ho (Love is Love): A Qualitative Study on LGBTQI+ Experiences in Hospice & Palliative Care in Nepal. J Palliat Care 2022:8258597221092896. [PMID: 35404145 DOI: 10.1177/08258597221092896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE(S) LGBTQI+ disparities in hospice and palliative care have been vastly underrecognized in medical practice and research. This may result in LGBTQI+ community members distrusting health care professionals, avoiding encounters due to fears of discrimination or mistreatment, and seldom disclosing their identities to health care professionals. LGBTQI+ patients often lack familial emotional and caregiver support, a central theme of hospice and palliative care - for example, older LGBTQI+ people are twice as likely as cisgender heterosexual people to live alone and four times as likely to not have children. LGBTQI+ populations are also highly intersectional; therefore, members may be further stigmatized. Blue Diamond Society is a non-governmental organization in Nepal that specializes in LGBTQI+ advocacy and patient care. Our main objective in this study was to explore Nepali LGBTQI+ patients' experiences in hospice and palliative care. METHODS 29 interviews were conducted with patients, health care professionals, family members, and administrators involved with Blue Diamond Society (BDS), a Nepali NGO that serves Nepal's LGBTQI+ community. Questions were developed based on open-ended questioning to abstract relevant life and health history information pertaining to experiences with BDS and palliative care. These interviews were translated and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative Content analysis was conducted to identify prevalent themes. RESULTS Four themes were identified: Fear of Dying without Family; Understanding Oneself and Sense of Community; Patient as Advocate; and Intersectionality and Eliminating Reductionism. CONCLUSIONS This study elucidated themes inherent to the experiences of LGBTQI+ Nepali people receiving palliative and hospice care, ultimately describing the unique needs of LGBTQI+ Nepali patients in palliative and hospice care settings. In doing so, this study presents an intersectional focus on palliative and hospice care, elaborating on challenges specific to a deeply marginalized community that remains underrepresented in academia. Findings from this study describe an expanded notion of "palliation" to embody "whole-person care," that is, the palliation of social and structural pain, in addition to the more traditional conceptions of palliation as purely physical, emotional, and/or spiritual. This study also identified the importance of acknowledging and affirming the intersectional marginalization at which LGBTQI+ Nepalis live, ranging from experiences with socioeconomic status, family and communal conflict, ethnicity, race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, and environmental resource scarcity. In further understanding and improving upon intersectional LGBTQI+ cultural humility, this study provides opportunities for further research on cross-cultural LGBTQI+ patient needs in hospice and palliative care in a variety of resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archit B Baskaran
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 233 East Erie Street, Apt 1108, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Joshua Hauser
- Department of Internal Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Valenti KG, Janssen LM, Enguidanos S, de Medeiros K. "By the time she got sick it was just kind of too late": A qualitative study on advanced care planning among bereaved lesbian, gay, and bisexual older women. Palliat Med 2022; 36:375-385. [PMID: 34933628 DOI: 10.1177/02692163211065279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) older women have unmet communication needs around palliative and end-of-life care. Past research has found communication differences for LGB women patients. Consequently, older LGB women may experience healthcare communication barriers around advance care planning. AIM To explore experiences of bereaved LGB older women to understand perspectives regarding advance care planning communication between clinicians, patients, and dyads. DESIGN Guided by queer gerontology as a theoretical framework, this qualitative descriptive study employed individual interviews with purposively recruited participants. Interviews were conducted in person using a semi structured protocol and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Sixteen LGB women, age 60 years or older from across the United States who had lost a spouse/partner within the past 5 years. RESULTS Four main themes emerged from the transcripts, LGB older women: (1) experience unclear advance care planning communication and end-of-life care support from clinicians, (2) often avoid advance care planning discussions with spouse or partners, (3) lack of knowledge about palliative or end-of-life care, and (4) have more positive experiences when there is consistent communication with spouse or partner and clinicians during a spouse/partner's illness and end-of-life. DISCUSSION While certain experiences and opinions may reflect those of non-LGB older adults, novel advance care planning barriers exist for LGB older women. Greater understanding among clinicians is needed regarding advance care planning conversations with LGB dyads. We recommend four improvements in training, recognition, acceptance, and dyad-based communication interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korijna G Valenti
- General Internal Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Leah M Janssen
- Department of Sociology and Gerontology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Susan Enguidanos
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kate de Medeiros
- Department of Sociology and Gerontology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
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Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Sexual and Gender Minority Cancer Survivors: a Review of Current Research and Recommendations. Curr Oncol Rep 2021; 23:39. [PMID: 33718997 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-021-01034-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Sexual and gender minority (SGM) cancer survivors (post-diagnosis to end-of-life) can face inadequate services along the cancer care continuum, including palliative and end-of-life (EOL) care. A growing literature base calls for more research on factors influencing palliative and EOL care access, outcomes, and distinct needs of SGM cancer survivors and caregivers. We analyzed peer-reviewed articles published 2015-present to identify trends. RECENT FINDINGS Ten articles were SGM-focused or inclusive, cancer-focused, and included substantive discussion of palliative and/or EOL care. Four were research studies (three case studies and one qualitative interview study) and six were literature reviews. Recurrent topics included disparities in cancer risk, access, and care; essential cultural and clinical competencies; and need for professional and organizational standards and policies addressing interpersonal and institutional discrimination and inclusion. Provision of equitable, competent palliative and EOL care depends on continued advancements in research, translated into person-centered approaches to care. We discuss implications of findings for improving palliative and EOL care for SGM cancer survivors.
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