Advancing Access to Quality LGBTQIA+ Health Care

Gender Discrimination, Socio-Cultural, and Mental Health Issues: A Mixed-Method Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15499533
AuthorsAlexandros Argyriadis (0000-0001-5754-4787, Frederick University, corresponding author), Evangelos Fradelos (0000-0003-0244-9760, University of Thessaly), Agathi Argyriadi (0000-0003-3935-0414, Frederick University), Ella Ziegler (0000-0002-9383-8253, Toronto Metropolitan University), Evridiki Kaba (0000-0001-8253-6551, University of West Attica)
Year2023
Volume20
Issue6
Pages4767-4767
Publication date2023-03-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph20064767
PMID36981675
OpenAlexW4323565784
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited17

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

Competence (human resources · Cultural competence · Health care · Medical education · Mental health · Pedagogy · Political science · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Sociology · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology

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