Speaker urges non-discrimination policy to address LGBT patients' anxieties

Despite strides made over the years in recognizing the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, many remain concerned over the treatment they might encounter when in a healthcare setting, according to an expert speaking at a Tuesday session at the American College of Healthcare Executives meeting in Chicago.

Negative experiences including unusually long waits to see a provider, deliberate carelessness and in some instances difficulty in visiting same sex partners, has led to more than a quarter of LGBT patients believing they are treated differently than heterosexual patients by medical personnel, said Shane Snowdon, director for the LGBT advocacy group Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

Such beliefs have been a factor in as many as 28% of transgender and gender non-conforming patients reporting they postponed getting medical treatment when they were sick, and 33% reporting not trying to seek preventive-care services.

“To turn things around for LGBT patients to get over the fears and the anxieties and the mistreatment, it's not going to take a $10 million capital expenditure,” Snowdon said. “It's just means staff realizing what to do and not to do.”

Four key tactics Snowdon said healthcare facilities should be using to improve care for their LGBT patients include having an equal visitation policy, including LGBT patients within a hospital's non-discrimination policy, including LGBT employees within a health systems own non-discrimination policy, and providing training for staff in how to address LGBT patients.

LGBT people compose roughly 3% of the country's population but have specific health concerns that include higher risks of cancer and contracting HIV. Also, LGBT populations have the highest rates of tobacco, alcohol and drug use, according to the HHS.

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