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Jakobsen MD, Bromseth J, Siverskog A, Krane MS. The provision of healthcare services to older LGBT adults in the Nordic countries: a scoping review. Scand J Prim Health Care 2023; 41:359-371. [PMID: 37602941 PMCID: PMC11001363 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2023.2242713] [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] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Our objectives were to examine what is known about the provision of healthcare services to older LGBT adults in the Nordic countries, identify knowledge gaps, map implications of this research for the education of healthcare professionals and delivery of healthcare, and identify key future research priorities to advance policy and practice for older LGBT adults in this region. DESIGN We conducted searches in nine databases. Peer-reviewed articles and PhD theses published in and after 2002 written in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish languages were included. 41 studies met our inclusion criteria. However, only eight of these studies focused specifically on older LGBT adults. Therefore, to answer all research questions, five book chapters about older groups were also included. RESULTS There were few studies from countries other than Sweden and few quantitative studies. Bisexual people represented a neglected group in research. The studies included showed that healthcare personnel lack knowledge on LGBT issues, particularly about older LGBT adults and non-binary gender identification. Older LGBT adults frequently reported being met with cis- and heteronormative expectations in healthcare encounters. For transgender people, access to medical treatment has been managed by gatekeepers influenced by a binary understanding of gender. CONCLUSIONS Relevant measures to enhance practices are increased attention on LGBT issues in education; training of healthcare professionals; measures at the institutional level; and ensuring that transgender people identifying as non-binary receive the same quality of care as individuals identifying in a binary way.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anna Siverskog
- Department of Culture and Education, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Martin Sollund Krane
- Centre for Care Research North, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Mitchell LA, Jacobs C, McEwen A. (In)visibility of LGBTQIA+ people and relationships in healthcare: A scoping review. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2023; 114:107828. [PMID: 37301011 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.107828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify and map research into the visibility of LGBTQIA+ people and their relationships in healthcare, with the view to inform future research and practice. METHOD Five databases were systematically searched for published and grey literature. Primary research reporting on visibility of LGBTQIA+ people in healthcare was included. Two reviewers independently screened the studies until an acceptable level of agreement was reached. A narrative synthesis was conducted and findings mapped to a taxonomy of microaggressions involving three sub-categories: microinsults, microassaults and microinvalidations. RESULTS The microaggressions identified included Microinsults: 'Perception of health professionals' knowledge and comfort' and 'Disclosure'; Microassaults: 'Discrimination and stigma'; Microvalidations: 'Accessing and navigating through services', 'Encounters of assumptions and stereotypes', 'Validating identities and including relationships', and 'Reading the environment'. CONCLUSION Despite growing societal acceptance, microaggressions still exist within healthcare. Groups within LGBTQIA+ communities have varying levels of visibility in research and healthcare based on the studies included. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS The limited visibility of LGBT and lack of visibility of QIA+ people and their relationships in healthcare highlight the need to include the views of all LGBTQIA+ communities in research, and to ensure health professionals and clinical services are equipped to address this (in)visibility gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas A Mitchell
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia; Clinical Translation and Engagement Platform, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia.
| | - Chris Jacobs
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Alison McEwen
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
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Howell JD, Maguire R. Factors Associated with Experiences of Gender-Affirming Health Care: A Systematic Review. Transgend Health 2023; 8:22-44. [PMID: 36895311 PMCID: PMC9991448 DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2021.0033] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Transgender people often pursue gender-affirming health care (GAH), such as hormone therapy and/or surgeries. While research has begun to explore influences on general health care for transgender individuals, less is known about the experiences of GAH specifically. We aimed to systematically review the factors associated with experiences of GAH. Methods PubMed, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and Web of Science were systematically searched for relevant literature using a predetermined search strategy. Studies were screened by two researchers to determine whether they fit the inclusion criteria. Following quality appraisal and data extraction, results were thematically analyzed. Results Thirty-eight studies were included in the review. Factors associated with experiences of GAH were broadly categorized as follows: (i) sociodemographic factors, (ii) treatment-related factors, (iii) psychosocial factors, and (iv) health care interactions, with health care interactions, in particular, being strong determinants of experience. Conclusion Findings suggest that experiences of GAH may be determined by a number of diverse factors, which have implications for understanding how to better support those undergoing transition. In particular, health care professionals play a key role in determining how transgender people experience treatment, which should be considered when providing care for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie D. Howell
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Rebecca Maguire
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
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Chatterjee A, Dasgupta M. Perception of Clinical Authority in LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Service Users: An Exploration Through Projective Storytelling and Experiential Narratives. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOSEXUAL HEALTH 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/26318318221117527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is a tendency to use projective assessment to single out intrapsychic vulnerabilities of LGBTQIA+ individuals in mental health literature, without giving due weightage to their marginalized contexts. Additionally, their experiences in accessing mental health services are often nonaffirmative due to dominant pathological discourses in mainstream settings, even though scientific-clinical consensus has been explicit about depathologization. Objectives: The current study aims to understand implicit perceptions and attitudes toward clinical authority in a sample of 10 self-identified LGBTQIA+ mental health service-users in Kolkata. It also aims to contextualize the same against their lived experiences of mental health-care use. Methodology: Qualitative method was used in the current study. Data was collected with the help of sociodemographic questionnaire (for identifying social locations of participants), semi-structured interviews (for eliciting lived experiences of clinical relationships in mental health care), and projective storytelling with the help of TAT Cards 1 and 12M. Results: Analysis of projective storytelling reveals predominantly negative perception of clinical authority with prominent themes of being overpowered by authority, dilemma regarding clinical outcome, passivity, sexual violation, and extreme perceived hostility from environment. Such perception is explainable in the light of lived experiences of discrimination in mental health care, personal vulnerabilities, lack of wholesome interpersonal relationships, and being victims of dominant pathologizing discourses in mental health sciences. Conclusion: Mental health-care praxis needs to direct its attention to discriminatory experiences of service-users from gender and sexual minorities. Practitioners must be encouraged to develop specific competency in this regard, and be mindful of their own biases and prejudice when interacting with clients. JEL Classification:
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Affiliation(s)
- Aritra Chatterjee
- Clinical Psychology Centre, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Manisha Dasgupta
- Department of Psychology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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Panchal Z, Piper C, Whitmore C, Davies RD. Providing supportive transgender mental health care: A systemized narrative review of patient experiences, preferences, and outcomes. JOURNAL OF GAY & LESBIAN MENTAL HEALTH 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/19359705.2021.1899094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zoë Panchal
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Christi Piper
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Strauss Health Sciences Library, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Robert D. Davies
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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Stryker SD, Pallerla H, Yockey RA, Bedard-Thomas J, Pickle S. Training Mental Health Professionals in Gender-Affirming Care: A Survey of Experienced Clinicians. Transgend Health 2022; 7:68-77. [PMID: 36644027 PMCID: PMC9829147 DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2020.0123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals have difficulty accessing mental health professionals (MHPs) prepared to deliver culturally informed care. This study aims to (1) explore the training experiences that had been available to MHPs who are actively providing care to TGNC individuals, (2) define which opportunities had been most beneficial in TGNC career development, and (3) determine the reasons MHPs sought training when it was absent in graduate curricula. Methods A voluntary cross-sectional electronic survey was distributed through professional Listservs and public referral lists to interdisciplinary MHPs, who self-identified as having experience in providing care to TGNC individuals. Results Two hundred eighty-one (n=281) counselors, marriage/family therapists, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, or psychiatric nurse practitioners responded to the survey. The two most common motivators for seeking training in gender-affirming care were filling a need in the community (68.8%) and having met a TGNC person in a clinical setting, who requested care (67.2%). Only 20.0% of our sample were exposed to relevant content in a graduate course, and 25.2% during clinical training. The most commonly available training opportunities were professional conferences (76.4%) and mentorship (41.2%). Respondents were most likely to recommend that others in their field be trained through structured clinical experience. Conclusion This study identifies key strategies for graduate and post-graduate educators to better prepare MHPs to serve TGNC individuals. Wider availability of structured clinical experiences, didactic content delivered during graduate school or at professional conferences, and direct clinical mentorship will increase access to welcome and prepared mental health care providers for the TGNC population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanna D. Stryker
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Address correspondence to: Shanna D. Stryker, MD, MPH, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Medical Sciences Building 4453C, Cincinnati, OH 45367, USA,
| | - Harini Pallerla
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - R. Andrew Yockey
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | | | - Sarah Pickle
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Hawkey AJ, Ussher JM, Liamputtong P, Marjadi B, Sekar JA, Perz J, Ryan S, Schmied V, Brook E, Dune T. Trans Women's Responses to Sexual Violence: Vigilance, Resilience, and Need for Support. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2021; 50:3201-3222. [PMID: 34697692 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-01965-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite experiencing high rates of sexual violence, there is limited research that explores coping and support needs among trans women of color and those from migrant backgrounds. This article examines the impact of sexual violence, as well as responses and support needs in relation to sexual violence, among 31 trans women of color, aged between 18-54 years, living in Australia. Women were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling, local LGBTQI + networks, and social media. Study advertisements invited participation from people 18 years and older, who identified as a "trans woman of color" or "trans woman from a non-English speaking background," to take part in a study about their lives as trans women of color and experiences of sexual violence. In-depth interviews and photovoice took place between September 2018 and September 2019. Findings were analyzed through thematic analysis, drawing on intersectionality theory. Sexual violence was reported to be associated with fear, anxiety, and depression, and, for a minority of women, self-blame. While women reported hypervigilance and avoiding going out in public as measures to anticipate and protect themselves from sexual violence, they also demonstrated agency and resilience. This included putting time and effort into appearing as a cisgender woman, naming violence, seeking support, rejecting self-blame, and engaging in self-care practices to facilitate healing. Trans women highlighted the need for multi-faceted sexual violence prevention activities to encourage education, empowerment and cultural change across the general population and support services, in order to promote respect for gender, sexuality and cultural diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra J Hawkey
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
| | - Jane M Ussher
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Pranee Liamputtong
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Brahmaputra Marjadi
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica Aasha Sekar
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Janette Perz
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Samantha Ryan
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Virginia Schmied
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Tinashe Dune
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
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Carlström R, Ek S, Gabrielsson S. 'Treat me with respect': transgender persons' experiences of encounters with healthcare staff. Scand J Caring Sci 2020; 35:600-607. [PMID: 33128475 DOI: 10.1111/scs.12876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transgender persons face barriers to health care including discrimination and lack of awareness by professionals. This study aimed to describe transgender persons' experiences of encounters with healthcare staff. METHODS Participants were recruited through postings in social media and on websites targeting people identifying as transgender. Through an online form, 21 people identifying as transgender provided written self-reports. These were analysed using a method for inductive qualitative content analysis. The study was conducted in Sweden in 2018. RESULTS The results describe transgender persons' experiences and perceptions of encounters with healthcare staff in one theme: treat me with respect, and three main categories: accept me for who I am; treat me according to my needs; and meet me with competence. CONCLUSIONS Healthcare professionals can contribute in restoring and upholding transgender people's trust in health care by accepting their identity and focusing on their healthcare needs while also being informed about transgender people's needs and realities. A key point in this is recognising transgender person's vulnerability to violations of dignity in relation to health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeccah Carlström
- Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic, Örnsköldsvik Hospital, Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
| | - Susanna Ek
- Psychiatric Emergency Department, Vrinnevi Hospital, Region Östergötland, Norrköping, Sweden
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