Dr Megan Ross1, Mr Arin Hectors1, PRIDE Steering Committee1,2,3,4,5,6,7
1The University Of Queensland, Australia, 2Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, 3James Cook University, Townsville, 4James Cook University, Mt Isa Hospital Campus, 5Monash University, Melbourne, 6Flinders University, Adelaide, 7Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
Biography:
Dr Megan Ross (she/her) is a Titled Research Physiotherapist, postdoctoral research fellow and inaugural Chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association's LGBTQIA+ advisory committee. Dr Ross leads a program of research exploring LGBTQIA+ experiences of, and access to healthcare focussing on physiotherapy and primary care and has co-designed an educational resource about working with LGBTQIA+ communities that is being scaled up for implementation and evaluation in a $1M MRFF funded project in primary care.
Abstract:
Purpose:
Health disparities are well documented in people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual or related identities [LGBTQIA+]) and stem from social and structural stigma. Within healthcare settings, this can contribute to delaying or avoiding treatment, and further contribute to disparate health outcomes for the community. The present study examined how health practitioners and service providers deliver affirming care for LGBTQIA+ people.
Methods:
Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 31 health practitioners and service providers working in Australia, including primary and allied health professionals. Data were analysed inductively using a reflexive thematic approach.
Results:
For participants, the foundation of affirming care is embodying one’s values as a health professional. Participants described ways of being (their inherent values) and doing (enacting safe and affirming care). Key themes emerged including the role of participants’ attitudes towards the LGBTQIA+ community, the importance of the provider-patient relationship, the value lived experience and community engagement brought to participants’ practices and the participants’ critical awareness of LGBTQIA+ marginalisation, both broadly and in current healthcare systems.
Conclusion:
Understanding what affirming healthcare practices look like and how to enact them is essential for providing better care for LGBTQIA+ people. Health practitioners and service providers described ways of ‘being’ and ‘doing’ that can be used to improve healthcare provision for this population, which is vital to redress the health disparities caused by stigmatising and discriminatory care.