In 2009, there were many gaps in healthcare related to nursing LGBTQIA+ patients. The healthcare providers and their staff were not well-informed about the specific issues they should address when working with such patients, as there were certain disparities that were more spread in that group compared to other adults (Krehely, 2009). Most of the issues were amplified because that group was likely to delay or not seek medical treatment or assessment. These issues included obesity, injuries from fights, diabetes, cancer, and mental health conditions varying from emotional distress to suicidal ideation.
There have been many changes in healthcare for LGBTQIA+ patients since 2009. President Obama’s directive on same-sex domestic partner benefits helped with the demarginalization of this group of people. This led to more attention towards them in healthcare and better understanding by the doctors of the issues that such individuals might face. Yet, even though these changes are apparent, there is still space for development, as nursing education still does not include specific information on treating LGBTIA+ patients (Burton, Nolasco, & Holmes, 2021). If such inclusion was conducted, the staff of healthcare facilities would be more aware of ethical and medical aspects related to these individuals.
The encounter suggested is inappropriate for a number of reasons. The healthcare professional suggesting that the only issue that a gay person would approach him with is suspecting to have HIV is not only offensive but also repulsive for the patient. Such an attitude might lead to that person not wanting to seek medical help as often because of being mistreated. Suggesting that a gay person has drinking-related issues without it being mentioned by the patient is also inappropriate and offensive for the same reasons. This assessment should have been approached with questions from a healthcare professional rather than suggestions of the patient’s potential condition. Asking about the complaint and basing the list of tests or doctors that the patient should visit would be more appropriate and efficient.
References
Burton, C. W., Nolasco, K., & Holmes, D. (2021). Queering nursing curricula: Understanding and increasing attention to LGBTQIA+ health needs. Journal of Professional Nursing, 37(1), 101-107.
Krehely, J. (2009). How to close the LGBT health disparities gap. Center for American Progress, 1(9).