Breaking the Silence:
We Need More Openly LGBTQ+ Healthcare Providers
Author: Shereese Maynard, MS; MBA
When it comes to healthcare, we all want to receive quality care that addresses our unique needs. We covet care that considers our minds, bodies, and spirits. However, for the LGBTQ+ community, access to quality care, which others can take for granted, is complicated. When I started writing this article months ago, I struggled with the notion that I may not be the best person to write it because I am not part of the LGBTQ+ community. That being said, I leaned on a philosophy I share often; "If what you're doing comes from a genuine place, soldier on." I see healthcare from the inside out: I've seen what it looks like when a patient feels unseen. I've also witnessed doctors burn out who are stressed out due to the administrative burdens of delivering care and the silent torture of being unable to be their authentic selves. Foolishly, there was a time I believed that healthcare was getting better at dealing with marginalized communities. But, if I'm being honest, even with policy changes, the care of LGBTQ+ patients has not improved. Access abound; LGBTQ+ doctors are still struggling in medicine, with little to no support for their unique needs. I thought I'd explore this topic with you today. I hope that we can take something from what I've written and make healthcare safer for LGBTQ+LGBTQIApeople. In other words, let's ensure that things get better starting now.
The importance of LGBTQ+ representation in the medical field
LGBTQ+ health disparities are well-documented in the medical literature. Studies have shown that LGBTQ+ individuals experience higher rates of health issues like anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, as well as increased risk for certain chronic diseases. To provide the best possible care for all patients, it is essential that the medical community foster a culture of inclusion for LGBTQ+ individuals. This includes everything from ensuring that staff is trained in cultural competency to ensuring that patient forms are inclusive of all gender identities and sexual orientations. When LGBTQ+ patients feel welcome and respected by their care providers, they are more likely to receive the high-quality care they deserve. By working to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in the medical field, we can help ensure health equity for all. Let's take a look at this complicated issue.
The challenges faced by openly LGBTQ+ healthcare workers
Being openly a part of the LGBTQ+ community in the medical field can be difficult. In a survey of LGBTQ+ physicians, nearly half of respondents reported that they had experienced discrimination from patients, and almost one-third said they had been harassed or intimidated by colleagues. In addition to facing discrimination, those who identify as LGBTQ+ and are doctors also have to deal with the unique challenges of being a minority in the medical field. These challenges can include everything from finding mentors to feeling like an outsider in a predominantly heterosexual and cisgender profession. Another challenge faced by LGBTQ+ doctors includes medical training. Medical education is complex and stressful enough without the added pressure of being treated in isolation from your fellow cohort. LGBTQ+ students face bullying and a general lack of support. Also, LGBTQ+ students are less likely to ask for support services for fear of exposure. This creates an environment in which LGBTQ+ students are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. It’s time for a change.
How we can break down the barriers that prevent LGBTQ+ people from entering the medical field
Academic support for LGBTQ+medical students must increase to break down the barriers preventing their community from entering the medical field. These barriers include the lack of faculty members, the lack of representation of LGBTQ+ people in the medical curriculum, and heteronormative standards of patient care. Academic support can help offset these barriers by providing a safe and affirming environment for LGBTQ+ students who identify as LGBTQ+, normalizing their LGBTQ+ identities in the medical setting, and increasing LGBTQ+ visibility in the medical field. To provide adequate academic support, universities must do more to recruit and retain LGBTQ+ faculty members, make their curriculum more inclusive, and train their staff on how to provide affirming care to all patients. By taking these steps, we can work to break down the barriers that prevent LGBTQ+ people from entering the medical field.
Why many LGBTQ+ healthcare professionals are hesitant to come out for fear of discrimination
The roots of discrimination against LGBTQ+ patients run deep throughout the healthcare system and have a long history. Like other marginalized groups, the LGBTQ+community has a history of mistrust, and for a good reason. The Affordable Care Act was intended to mitigate some of these mentioned issues. Specifically, under the
ACA, LGBTQ+ people were protected against health care discrimination based on gender identity and sex stereotypes. The Trump Era ushered in a rollback of LGBTQ+ protections, making it easier for doctors to discriminate against the community. According to a report by The National LGBTQ Taskforce, Transgender and gender non-conforming people face rampant discrimination in healthcare settings. Of the 6450 people surveyed, 19% report being refused care outright for their sexual orientation.
What we can do to create a more inclusive & welcoming healthcare system for all patients
The LGBTQ+ community has long been underrepresented in the medical field. According to a study by the University Health Service at the University of Rochester, only 3.6% of physicians identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender in 2014. This number is even lower for other healthcare providers, with a mere 0.3% identifying as LGBTQ+.
This lack of representation can profoundly impact the quality of care that LGBTQ+ patients receive. Cultural competency is an important part of providing quality care. Without physicians and healthcare providers who are openly LGBTQ+, many LGBTQ+ patients in their community may not feel comfortable discussing their needs with their doctors. This can lead to poorer health outcomes and a general feeling of exclusion from the healthcare system.
To create a more inclusive and welcoming healthcare system for all patients, we must work to increase the representation of openly LGBTQ+ physicians and healthcare providers. This can be done by working to increase the recruitment and retention of LGBTQ+ medical students and residents, as well as increasing support for LGBTQ+ faculty members. In addition, we must work to make our healthcare curriculum more inclusive and train all staff members on how to provide affirming care to all patients. We can create a more inclusive and welcoming healthcare system by taking these steps.