Queerness and healthcare systems: Heteronormativity's harmful effects
The notion that heterosexuality is normal is deeply embedded in societal norms, institutions, and policies. This includes the field of healthcare, where discriminatory practices and attitudes toward LGBTQ+ patients have been prevalent for decades. Heteronormativity affects all aspects of healthcare, from patient-provider interactions to research priorities and policies. Such biases can be detrimental to queer individuals' wellbeing and negatively impact their access to quality care.
Patient-Provider Interactions
Many providers lack adequate training in providing culturally competent care to queer patients. They may fail to recognize or acknowledge their identities, leading to misunderstandings and misdiagnoses. Providers may also make assumptions about sexual behavior based on gender presentation, which can lead to inaccurate treatments and missed opportunities for prevention.
Lesbian women are less likely to receive Pap smears than heterosexual women due to providers' incorrect assumptions about their sexual activity. Heteronormative language and behavior may also cause discomfort and anxiety among LGBTQ+ patients.
Research Priorities and Policies
Heteronormative bias permeates research priorities and funding allocation. Medical studies often exclude queer individuals, limiting our understanding of their health needs and outcomes. Researchers may not study conditions specific to queer populations or may neglect to include them in larger studies. This gap results in a dearth of evidence-based interventions tailored to their unique health concerns. Queer people's experiences with healthcare are underrepresented in policymaking, resulting in laws and regulations that do not meet their needs.
Some states have banned transgender athletes from participating in sports, despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting such discrimination.
Establishing Equitable Queer-Inclusive Care
To establish equitable queer-inclusive care, several systemic reforms must be implemented. Firstly, medical education should incorporate comprehensive training on caring for LGBTQ+ patients. Secondly, research should prioritize studying queer populations to inform policy development.
Policymakers must center the perspectives of LGBTQ+ stakeholders when making decisions affecting their health. Healthcare organizations can also create safe spaces for queer employees and ensure accessibility by hiring staff who reflect diverse identities.
In healthcare systems, how do heteronormative biases affect outcomes, research priorities, and policy, and what systemic reforms could establish equitable queer-inclusive care?
Due to the lack of inclusion of queer individuals' needs and perspectives in research, data gaps exist that negatively impact their access to evidence-based treatment options. This is often due to heteronormativity, which presumes heterosexuality as the default norm in society. As such, queer individuals may face challenges when seeking mental health support for issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and body image, among others.