Communication about sexual orientation and gender between clinicians, LGBT+ people facing serious illness and their significant others: a qualitative interview study of experiences, preferences and recommendations: A qualitative interview study of experiences, preferences and recommendations

TY - JOUR

T1 - Communication about sexual orientation and gender between clinicians, LGBT+ people facing serious illness and their significant others: a qualitative interview study of experiences, preferences and recommendations

T2 - A qualitative interview study of experiences, preferences and recommendations

AU - Braybrook, Debbie

AU - Bristowe, Katherine

AU - Timmins, Liadh

AU - Roach, Anna

AU - Day, Elizabeth

AU - Clift, Paul

AU - Rose, Ruth

AU - Marshall, Steve

AU - Johnson, Katherine

AU - Sleeman, Katherine

AU - Harding, Richard

N1 - Funding Information: RH and KB conceived the study, supported by PC, KJ, RR and KES. Study coordination was led by DB and supported by AR and LT. Recruitment was led by DB, KB, SM, KES and LT, and supported by PC, ED and RR. DB conducted the interviews, participated in transcription, reviewed and analysed the transcripts, and wrote the first version of the manuscript. DB conducted data analysis with input from KB and RH, and review by all authors. KB, RH and KES were involved in initial critical review and revision of the manuscript, followed by all authors. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript. RH is the guarantor. Publisher Copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.

PY - 2022/8/31

Y1 - 2022/8/31

N2 - BACKGROUND. Healthcare organisations have legal and ethical duties to reduce inequalities in access to healthcare services and related outcomes.However, lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT+) people continue to experience and anticipate discrimination in health and social care. Skilled communication is vital for quality person-centred care, but there is inconsistent provision of evidence-based clinician education on health needs and experiences of LGBT+ people to support this. This study aimed to identify key stakeholders’experiences, preferences and best practices for communication regarding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender history in order to reduce inequalities in healthcare.METHODS. Semistructured qualitative interviews with LGBT+ patients with serious illness, significant others and clinicians, recruited via UK-wide LGBT+groups, two hospitals and one hospice in England. We analysed the interview data using reflexive thematic analysis.RESULTS. 74 stakeholders participated: 34 LGBT+ patients with serious illness, 13 significant others and 27 multiprofessional clinicians. Participants described key communication strategies to promote inclusive practice across three domains: (1) ’Creating positive first impressions and building rapport’were central to relationship building and enacted through routine use of inclusive language, avoiding potentially negative non-verbal signals and echoing terminology used by patients and caregivers; (2) ’Enhancing care by actively exploring and explaining the relevance of sexual orientation and gender identity’, participants described the benefits of clinicians initiating these discussions, pursuing topics guided by the patient’s response or expressed preferences for disclosure. Active involvement of significant others was encouraged to demonstrate recognition of the relationship; these individual level actions are underpinned by a foundation of (3) ’visible and consistent LGBT+ inclusiveness in care systems’. Although participants expressed hesitance talking about LGBT+ identities with individuals from some sociocultural and religious backgrounds, there was widespread support for institutions to adopt as tandardised, LGBT+ inclusive, visibly supportive approach.CONCLUSIONS. Person-centred care can be enhanced by incorporating discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity into routine clinical practice. Inclusive language and sensitive exploration of relationships and identities are core activities. Institutions need to support clinicians through provision of adequate training, resources, inclusive monitoring systems, policies and structures. Ten inclusive communication recommendations are made based on the data.

AB - BACKGROUND. Healthcare organisations have legal and ethical duties to reduce inequalities in access to healthcare services and related outcomes.However, lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT+) people continue to experience and anticipate discrimination in health and social care. Skilled communication is vital for quality person-centred care, but there is inconsistent provision of evidence-based clinician education on health needs and experiences of LGBT+ people to support this. This study aimed to identify key stakeholders’experiences, preferences and best practices for communication regarding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender history in order to reduce inequalities in healthcare.METHODS. Semistructured qualitative interviews with LGBT+ patients with serious illness, significant others and clinicians, recruited via UK-wide LGBT+groups, two hospitals and one hospice in England. We analysed the interview data using reflexive thematic analysis.RESULTS. 74 stakeholders participated: 34 LGBT+ patients with serious illness, 13 significant others and 27 multiprofessional clinicians. Participants described key communication strategies to promote inclusive practice across three domains: (1) ’Creating positive first impressions and building rapport’were central to relationship building and enacted through routine use of inclusive language, avoiding potentially negative non-verbal signals and echoing terminology used by patients and caregivers; (2) ’Enhancing care by actively exploring and explaining the relevance of sexual orientation and gender identity’, participants described the benefits of clinicians initiating these discussions, pursuing topics guided by the patient’s response or expressed preferences for disclosure. Active involvement of significant others was encouraged to demonstrate recognition of the relationship; these individual level actions are underpinned by a foundation of (3) ’visible and consistent LGBT+ inclusiveness in care systems’. Although participants expressed hesitance talking about LGBT+ identities with individuals from some sociocultural and religious backgrounds, there was widespread support for institutions to adopt as tandardised, LGBT+ inclusive, visibly supportive approach.CONCLUSIONS. Person-centred care can be enhanced by incorporating discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity into routine clinical practice. Inclusive language and sensitive exploration of relationships and identities are core activities. Institutions need to support clinicians through provision of adequate training, resources, inclusive monitoring systems, policies and structures. Ten inclusive communication recommendations are made based on the data.

KW - qualitative research

KW - healthcare disparities

KW - quality of health care

KW - health policy

KW - medical education & training

KW - LGBT+

KW - LGBT inclusive policies

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85137666557&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1136/bmjqs-2022-014792

DO - 10.1136/bmjqs-2022-014792

M3 - Article

SN - 2044-5415

JO - BMJ Quality and Safety

JF - BMJ Quality and Safety

M1 - bmjqs-2022-014792

ER -