The Needs of LGBTI People Regarding Health Care Structures, Prevention Measures and Diagnostic and Treatment Procedures: A Qualitative Study in a German Metropolis

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Needs of LGBTI People Regarding Health Care Structures, Prevention Measures and Diagnostic and Treatment Procedures: A Qualitative Study in a German Metropolis

AU - Lampalzer, Ute

AU - Behrendt, Pia

AU - Dekker, Arne

AU - Briken, Peer

AU - Nieder, Timo O

PY - 2019/9/22

Y1 - 2019/9/22

N2 - (1) Background: Studies indicate that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people constantly face challenges and disadvantages in the health care system that prevent them from getting the best possible patient-centered care. However, the present study is the first to focus on LGBTI-related health in a major German metropolis. It aimed to investigate health care structures, prevention measures and diagnostic as well as treatment procedures that LGBTI individuals need in order to receive appropriate patient-centered health care and health promotion. (2) Methods: Following a participatory approach, five expert interviews with LGBTI people with multiplier function, i.e., people who have a key role in a certain social milieu which makes them able to acquire and spread information in and about this milieu, and three focus groups with LGBTI people and/or health professionals were conducted. Qualitative data were analyzed according to the principles of content analysis. (3) Results: The specific needs of LGBTI individuals must be recognized as a matter of course in terms of depathologization, sensitization, inclusion, and awareness. Such an attitude requires both basic knowledge about LGBTI-related health issues, and specific expertise about sufficient health care services for each of the minorities in the context of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity. (4) Conclusions: For an appropriate approach to LGBTI-centered health care and health promotion, health professionals will need to adopt a better understanding of specific soft and hard skills.

AB - (1) Background: Studies indicate that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people constantly face challenges and disadvantages in the health care system that prevent them from getting the best possible patient-centered care. However, the present study is the first to focus on LGBTI-related health in a major German metropolis. It aimed to investigate health care structures, prevention measures and diagnostic as well as treatment procedures that LGBTI individuals need in order to receive appropriate patient-centered health care and health promotion. (2) Methods: Following a participatory approach, five expert interviews with LGBTI people with multiplier function, i.e., people who have a key role in a certain social milieu which makes them able to acquire and spread information in and about this milieu, and three focus groups with LGBTI people and/or health professionals were conducted. Qualitative data were analyzed according to the principles of content analysis. (3) Results: The specific needs of LGBTI individuals must be recognized as a matter of course in terms of depathologization, sensitization, inclusion, and awareness. Such an attitude requires both basic knowledge about LGBTI-related health issues, and specific expertise about sufficient health care services for each of the minorities in the context of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity. (4) Conclusions: For an appropriate approach to LGBTI-centered health care and health promotion, health professionals will need to adopt a better understanding of specific soft and hard skills.

U2 - 10.3390/ijerph16193547

DO - 10.3390/ijerph16193547

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 31546719

VL - 16

SP - 35

EP - 47

JO - INT J ENV RES PUB HE

JF - INT J ENV RES PUB HE

SN - 1660-4601

IS - 19

ER -