LGBT stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people. These are individuals who identify themselves with these terms, and they have different ways of expressing their sexual orientation. They face many challenges when it comes to finding love, getting married or having children due to societal norms and stereotypes.
There are also some issues that affect them professionally where they need to balance between their personal lives and work. This is because LGBT personnel may have ethical obligations towards patients which might conflict with their relational needs.
If a doctor has been assigned a patient whose family has conservative values regarding same-sex marriages, it becomes difficult to reconcile personal desires with professional obligations. The aim of this article is to discuss how LGBT personnel can meet these demands without compromising their jobs.
Professional Obligation
Professionals, such as doctors, nurses, psychologists, etc., must adhere to a code of ethics that guides their practice. These codes require professionals to protect their clients' privacy and confidentiality by avoiding disclosing sensitive information about them without permission. It is unethical for a doctor to reveal that his patient is gay without consent from him/her unless he/she poses a threat to others. When an individual identifies himself or herself as LGBT, it is not easy to conceal this aspect since it is public knowledge. Therefore, it becomes hard for the personnel to maintain confidentiality while meeting other people's expectations. Also, professionals should respect the client's beliefs even though they disagree with them.
A nurse cannot refuse to administer medication to a patient based on her religious views. She must provide medical care regardless of her sexual orientation.
Personal Relational Needs
Personnel in healthcare facilities who identify themselves as LGBT also need to meet relational needs with individuals who are different from them. They may feel attracted to a colleague or someone they work with daily.
It is wrong for them to engage in romantic relationships at work because it violates the hospital policies and regulations. Such acts could lead to dismissal from the job, which might be detrimental to their professional lives. Also, it would create awkward situations where they would have to interact with the person later if they end up parting ways. Thus, there is always a conflict between personal desires and professional obligations due to these limitations.
Reconciling Professional Obligations with Personal Relational Needs
It is possible to reconcile both demands by being honest about your sexual orientation when applying for a job. This way, you can find employers who share similar values and do not discriminate against LGBT employees. A good employer will protect its workers and help them balance their personal lives and career responsibilities without compromising either side. Moreover, LGBT personnel can form support groups to discuss challenges that affect them regarding dating, marriage, children, etc., so they get advice on how to deal with such issues. It is advisable to avoid socializing too much with patients or colleagues since it can result in unethical conduct at work. By following these tips, professionals can manage to maintain their careers while meeting their personal relational needs effectively.
How do LGBT personnel reconcile personal relational needs with professional and ethical obligations?
In general, most LGBT individuals struggle to balance their personal life and work responsibilities, especially when they have to hide their sexual orientation at work due to fear of discrimination or rejection by colleagues, supervisors, and even patients. Some healthcare professionals may also be afraid of losing their jobs if their employers find out about their sexual identity, which can lead them to choose between revealing it to others and adhering to strict standards of care.