The American Psychological Association (APA) recommends that mental health professionals should treat all people without prejudice and discrimination. This includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, plus (LGBTQ+) patients. But implicit moral biases can compromise their access to healthcare services. Implicit morality is the subconscious attitudes or beliefs about right and wrong behavior based on personal values. These biases are often shaped by cultural norms and societal expectations. They can lead to unintentional behaviors or attitudes that affect treatment decisions.
If a doctor assumes LGBTQ+ patients are promiscuous, they may not recommend preventive care or follow up appointments. Or if they assume gender transition surgery is immoral, they may refuse to provide referrals.
Health providers may also be influenced by religious beliefs, which could clash with LGBTQ+ identities. Religious groups have historically opposed homosexuality as sinful and abnormal. In some countries like Uganda, homosexuality is illegal. Healthcare systems in these nations are affected by anti-LGBTQ+ stigma and laws.
Implicit moral biases create barriers for LGBTQ+ patients seeking healthcare. Providers who judge sexuality and gender identity may delay diagnosis and treatment. This results in higher rates of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Providers may mislabel certain conditions due to bias.
They might attribute mental illnesses to sexual orientation rather than underlying issues. Such misdiagnoses harm both the patient's health and credibility.
To address this problem, APA suggests training programs on implicit moral bias recognition. Health providers must learn to recognize their own prejudices and avoid them when treating patients. Also, institutions should hire more diverse staff to ensure all patients feel welcome. Medical schools should prioritize inclusivity and offer LGBTQ+ topics in curricula.
Public policies supporting equitable access to healthcare can help reduce implicit moral biases.
How do implicit moral biases in healthcare systems compromise equitable treatment of LGBTQ+ patients, and what remedies are ethically justified?
Implicit bias is defined as prejudice against people from certain groups that happens unconsciously or unintentionally. These types of biases can affect how medical professionals treat their patients, especially those who identify with marginalized communities such as the LGBTQ+ community.