Hidden Biases in Healthcare and LGBT Patients
LGBT patients face unique challenges when seeking medical care due to societal prejudices. These challenges include implicit and explicit biases within the healthcare system that hinder their ability to receive adequate treatment. This article examines how such bias occurs and suggests effective ways to combat it.
Implicit Bias
Implicit bias refers to unconscious beliefs and attitudes based on stereotypes about certain groups of people. In the case of LGBT individuals, this can manifest in negative views of gender nonconforming behaviors, homosexuality, or transgender identities. Medical professionals may assume that these behaviors are indicative of poor mental health or even criminal activity. These assumptions can lead to discrimination against LGBT patients, who may be refused services or treated differently than their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts.
One example is the experience of transgender patients seeking hormone therapy. If a doctor assumes that hormones are being used for nefarious purposes, they might refuse to provide them, even if they're prescribed by another physician. Another example is denial of necessary treatments based on gender identity. Some doctors may insist on treating a patient according to their birth sex instead of their chosen gender identity.
Unfortunately, implicit bias also affects clinical decision-making and diagnostic accuracy. Studies have shown that doctors often underestimate the severity of injuries or illnesses experienced by gay men compared to straight men. They also misdiagnose lesbian women more frequently than heterosexual women due to a lack of understanding of sexual orientation as a medical risk factor.
Explicit Bias
Explicit bias is conscious prejudice toward certain groups of people. It is less common but still a problem within the healthcare system.
Some doctors may believe that same-sex relationships are immoral or wrong. This attitude can lead to refusal of care or attempts to "cure" homosexuality through conversion therapy.
Explicit bias can manifest in the form of microaggressions. Doctors may use offensive terms or make derogatory comments about LGBT individuals, which can harm trust and create barriers to treatment.
Explicit bias can be seen in the lack of LGBT-specific research and data. Many studies ignore sexual orientation and gender identity, leading to incomplete information about diseases specific to these populations. This lack of knowledge can result in substandard care and higher mortality rates for LGBT patients.
Institutional Strategies
To promote equitable treatment and access, hospitals and medical centers must implement strategies at an institutional level. One approach is to train staff on how to recognize and combat bias. Awareness training should include topics such as implicit and explicit bias, stereotypes about different identities, and best practices for communicating with diverse patient populations.
Another strategy is hiring more minorities and underrepresented groups into leadership positions. Diverse representation helps ensure that the needs of LGBT patients are met and that their concerns are addressed by decision-makers who understand them.
Hospitals could provide specialized training for providers to learn about the unique experiences and health needs of LGBT patients.
It's also important to collect data on LGBT patients' experiences within the healthcare system. By tracking outcomes, administrators can identify areas where improvements need to be made and develop targeted interventions to address those issues.
Hospitals should work with community organizations to increase awareness and advocacy for LGBT rights in healthcare settings.
Hidden biases in healthcare can have serious consequences for LGBT patients. To combat this problem, institutions must take proactive steps to educate staff, increase diversity, and collect data on patient experiences. With these measures in place, LGBT individuals will have greater access to quality medical care tailored to their specific needs.