Advancing Access to Quality LGBTQIA+ Health Care: Gender Discrimination, Socio-Cultural, and Mental Health Issues: A Mixed-Method Study

Alexandros Argyriadis (), Evangelos C. Fradelos, Agathi Argyriadi, Erin Ziegler and Evridiki Kaba
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Alexandros Argyriadis: School of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Frederick University, Nicosia 3080, Cyprus
Evangelos C. Fradelos: School of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larisa, Greece
Agathi Argyriadi: School of Education and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Frederick University, Nicosia 1036, Cyprus
Erin Ziegler: Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Evridiki Kaba: School of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, 11521 Athens, Greece

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 6, 1-10

Abstract: Recent research highlights the lack of knowledge and reduced skills of health care professionals in communicating with people from the LGBTQIA+ community. This often occurs due to reduced continuing education on social issues in the health sector. The purpose of this research was to study the readiness of health care professionals to manage the social and mental health issues of the LGBTQIA+ community. In particular, the cultural competence of health care professionals targeted at gender identity, the recognition of the level of mastery of soft skills, and the relevant experiences of the participants were studied. For the purposes of conducting this research, a mixed methodology was used to pursue an in-depth study of human beliefs, attitudes, perceptions, ideas, and experiences. More specifically, a previously validated research tool was used to measure cultural competence and assess soft skills. At the same time, interviews were conducted with health care professionals for a more complete understanding of their skills and attitudes. The study comprised a quantitative study involving 479 health care professionals and a qualitative study involving 20 health care professionals, with results from each study. The results showed that the health care professionals’ knowledge of the LGBTQIA+ community is sufficient, but their skills and attitudes towards gender diversity are limited. In addition, the level of acquisition of soft skills by health care professionals is low, and there is insufficient training for health care professionals with regards to social issues. In conclusion, a targeted and structured educational intervention for health care professionals is required to avoid future unfortunate behaviours, and to ensure that the health care provided to healthy and sick populations, regardless of sexual orientation, is adequate.

Keywords: LGBTQIA+ community; health equality; healthcare access; cultural competence; soft skills (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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