Health care providers be trained in taking care of special populations

Answer

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (U.S.) (2003). A provider's introduction to substance abuse treatment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. U.S. Rockville, MD. Print.

This book focuses on various issues surrounding LGBT clients. Among the key points addressed are the legal and cultural issues concerning the above clients; approaches to treatment, accessibility and modalities with respect to care of the clients; historical and clinical issues of LGBT clients, the related health issues; policies and procedures governing handling of such clients; competence of health care providers in handling their issues; and various training and improvement programs that should be put in place to enhance equality and well-being of LGBT clients. This book is a key resource in the research, as it contains almost all issues relevant to this subject. Being a strong proponent for the liberalization and award of equal respect and care to LGBT patients, it serves as a proper tool to use in the forthcoming research. It also gives the position of the Government regarding the treatment of such individuals, and shuns any type of phobia directed towards people of different sexual orientation and gender identity.

Dobinson, C., MacDonnell, J., Hampson, E., Clipsham, J. & Chow, K. (2005). Improving the access and quality of public health services for bisexuals. Journal of bisexuality, 5(1), 39-78.

This is a position paper which contains results to a previous research done on how to improve the access of health services to LGBT people. The article points out that it is not easy to point out the needs of people belonging to these sexual orientations, thus it requires community based research. An interview of some homosexuals reveal that they have specific needs they would like to be addressed, saying that in most cases they are treated the same way as other patients.  This paper outlines diverse needs and experiences of heterosexuals, bisexuals and homosexuals. This community based participatory project (PAR), is mainly designed for action and training, which has an objective of empowering the community on how to deal with people of different sexual orientations. This paper will be very helpful in my research, as it addresses the ways of improving access to services by the population in question.

Johnson, C. V., Mimiaga, M. J. & Bradford, J.  (2008). Health care issues among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) populations in the United States: Introduction. Journal of Homosexuality, 54(3), 213-224.

This Journal of Homosexuality depicts a supplemental issue that presents explorative research into pertinent health care issues that are encountered by members of the LBBTI community (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, Transgender and intersex). A study done in the United States covering a period of 10 years, this article has an explicit insight of key issues commonly met while dealing with the above group. Major topics covered include health care, training of health care providers, how to utilize care, as well as the relevant preparation of waiting areas and clinical officers. Authors make use of reliable health research methods, which are community based, including patients chart reviews, provider and participant surveys to come up with a retrospective inference on the research topic as well as bring into the limelight the complexities surrounding sexual and gender minorities. This source will be a crucial tool in in-depth analysis of various methods that can be applied to train health care providers in taking care of LGBT populations.

Kathleen S. (2012, February). White House LGBT Conference on Health. Coordinating Committee Report. Retrieved from http://www.hhs.gov/secretary/about/lgbthealth_objectives_2012.html.

This report gives the position of the American government regarding the rights of people, irrespective of sexual orientation. The author points out that one should be judged by what they do, and not by how they look like, worship, place of origin or by social affiliation. This is a step that was taken as a result of the order by the president, that a research be done on the necessary improvements which need to be made to improve the well-being and health of LGBT individuals. This report reveals the objectives that the department has in place to achieve the above goal and support the initiative of the president. These include: Identification of important areas in which biomedical research will be advanced on LGBT health; support the development, evaluation and implementation of appropriate measures to improve timely access to HIV care for the transgender women; identifying and testing effective ways of reducing obesity among bisexuals and lesbians; working with LGBT groups to assess the impact of, and prevent occurrence of chronic diseases; and training of health care providers on proper handling of these groups.

Krupa, C. (2012, November). New doctors trained to overcome LGBT health care gap. American medical news. Retrieved from http://www.amaassn.org/amednews/2012/11/05/prl21105.htm.

This article published by the American Medical Association, gives statistics on the number of medical students undertaking trainings concerning health needs of LGBT individuals. It indicates that most medical schools have not endeavored to put much effort in equipping future health professionals to deal with this group of patients. A research done indicates that on average schools dedicate five hours on LGBT issues, while others spare no time at all. This paper shows the need for more training and dedication, as about two-thirds of the schools are still not practicing this. Various programs have been included in this article, launched in parts of New York and Nashville. These programs offer teaching insights as well as other resources to help faculties of various colleges to successfully incorporate training on LGBT issues. It also gives barriers that mar the understanding of LGBT-based issues. This article should be a very important resource to the research to follow.

Makadon H. J. (2011, April). Ending LGBT invisibility in health care: The first step in ensuring equitable care. Cleveland clinical Journal of medicine, 78(4), 220-224. Retrieved from http://www.ccjm.org/content/78/4/220.full.

The author of this article points out that health care disparities against LGBT individuals will only be eliminated if clinicians take a step to gather information about sexual orientations from their patients, through a through, nonjudgmental and thoughtful discussion based on historical experiences. It emphasizes on the need of clinicians to be comfortable asking any questions regarding sexual orientation, gender identity and behavior. Further, it supports that enough disparities exist to warrant more extensive research and training on LGBT issues. The main focus of the article is how physicians can take a first step critical to helping LGBT patients, by proactively inquiring about historical issues regarding gender identity and sexual orientation. Relevant questions that clinicians should ask LGBT patients are also discussed in this article, as well as the criteria of approaching such subjects. It also provides a guideline on assessing sexual behavior of individuals that is crucial in determining the risks to which they are prone.

McDermott, E., Roen, K. Scourfield, J.  (2008). Avoiding shame: young LGBT people, homophobia and self-destructive behaviors. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 10(8), 815-829.

This article reports on results from a qualitative research that sought to explain the connections existing between sexual orientations and self-destructive behaviors among the youth. Some of the social ills associated with this are alcohol abuse and suicide. This article argues that homophobia punishes individuals positioned as LGBT. It supports the notion that these orientations are dirty, and if affected parties would like to evade the punishment, then they must refrain from them. The paper argues that young people search for ways of avoiding shame, managing the homophobia individually, without such expectations as receiving support from any parties. Among the suggestions given to them are: minimizing and routinizing homophobia; constructing their own proud identities; and maintaining and assuming ‘adult’ responsibility for one’s actions. This paper contradicts the current view by most people and agencies that health care providers should be trained more on handling LGBT patients, since they are regarded as being responsible for their ills and thus cast out.

Rutherford, K., McIntyre, J., Daley, A. & Ross, L. E. (2012). Development of expertise in mental health service provision for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Medical Education, 4(69), 903-913.

This article looks into the various health disparities with regards to sexual orientation as well as gender identity; and analyzes ways in which health care providers have developed their capacities in dealing with LGBT populations. The research uses extensive eight semi-structured interviews, with mental health care providers being the participants. Four professional disciplines were represented among the selected participants, including psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy, and social work. This article thus presents a multi-professional approach to the topic of discussion. In the study, the need for special training of health service providers on how to deal with LGBT groups is emphasized, and suggestions on how to go about this given. The providers recommend introduction of mandatory inclusion of LGBT health content in the curriculum of education. The research reveals that there are very few chances of health service providers to access such trainings, thus showing the gap to be filled.

Saulnier, C. F. (2007). Deciding who to see: Lesbians discuss their preferences in health and mental health care providers. Social work, 47(4), 355-365.

This article delves into the criteria by which lesbians choose health care providers. A series of studies are conducted by the Lesbian Health Care Project of Western New York, by gathering region-specific data and information regarding preferences of randomly selected lesbians and their decision making model. The unanimous report of lesbians of all sorts of lives including working class, African American, middle class young and old, holds that decision making is historical in that it is based on past experiences. This article provides a clear suggestion that dealing with this group of people requires investigation into health care of high quality, since their choice of care providers is based on that. The research also inquires of lesbians what specifically they need in health care providers. They note that they, just like other people, expect tolerance, respect, acceptance and positive attitude from those they encounter. This scholarly source would be important in providing a roadmap on the most important traits to inculcate into health care providers, so as to enhance their service delivery to LGBT community.

Schneider, M. S. & Tremble, B. (2006). Training service providers to work with gay or lesbian adolescents: Workshop. Journal of Counseling & Development, 65(2), 98.

Recent developments have seen the American Psychiatrist and Psychological Associations change their view regarding homosexuality. It is no longer considered a mental illness. This article thus illustrates the new perspectives and insights that have been developed concerning the LGBT community. Homosexuality and other forms of unique sexual orientations are considered simply as a separate pathway in sexuality development, thus new ways are being sought to properly handle their cases. Strategies to combat stigmatization have been put in place in this article, and this piece of information will be crucial in my research to follow, as important lessons can be derived from the illustrations. The authors further illustrate that development workshop to enhance the expertise of health service providers has been put up in various parts of the Nation, e.g. in Toronto. Questions about gays and lesbians are among the pertinent issues being discussed, which are aimed at determining the special interests of the LGBT population.

Travers, R., Guta, A., Flicker, S., Larkin, J. Lo, C., McCardell, S. & van der Meulen, E. (2010). Service provider views on issues and needs for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 19(4), 191-198.

This Article addresses the importance of equality and diversity in dealing with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations. Just like any other upright patient, the LGBT require appropriate, accessible and effective health services. The authors identify that these people have a diverse range of sexual health service needs, which must be addressed. The results presented in this research article are based on a survey carried out in Toronto, where several service providers from diverse agencies were engaged in an interview to elicit their ideas on the constantly changing needs of the LGBT community, the obstacles they face, and their ever increasing complexity. The most crucial points that are addressed in the by the participants include the dire need to address the specific and unique service needs of the group, and the convergence of sexual orientation with ethno-cultural diversity. A possible remedy out of this, as pointed out by the research, is increased education and training of health care providers in dealing with LGBT patients.

Whitehead, A. L. & Baker, J. O. (2012). Homosexuality, religion, and science: Moral authority and the persistence of negative attitudes. Sociological Inquiry, 82 (4), 487-509.

This article reveals that despite of the legalization of unique sexual orientations in the United States, there is still substantial resistance from various individuals regarding equality for LGBT population. This resistance stems from the belief that being gay is a matter of choice, rather than being a result of nature. Negativity increases when natural explanation to these people is proposed. This study addresses the importance of various sources of moral authority and epistemic beliefs useful in understanding homosexuality. Science and religion hold different views about the attributions of homosexuality. Since an agreement is not yet attained, people remain adamant to accept the idea of liberalizing multiple sexual orientations, are thus conscious in adopting measures to support such movements. This includes training, freedom of acceptance and positive attitude towards LGBT patients. This article will be helpful in giving a different view to the approach of enhancing the well-being of these patients, and providing a better means of combating negative attitudes.