Discussions of the
LGBT older population and healthcare disparities often conclude with
recommendations for more education of healthcare service providers. But how
successful has that approach been? This research study on LGBT cultural competency training focused on the unique challenges of sexual and gender minorities provides evidence regarding
whether attitudes, beliefs, and intentions of service providers improved.
Included were data collected at four Massachusetts training events piloting a
cultural competency workshop using surveys about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender (LGBT) aging for mainstream older adult service providers.
Findings revealed significant improvement in
numerous aspects of service providers' knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral
intentions as a result of the training sessions. Benefits included these:
1)
Awareness of LGBT resources
2)
Policy disparities
3)
Spousal benefits for same-sex couples
4)
Intention to challenge homophobic remarks
Recommendations included long-term follow-up of participants,
the inception of agency-level surveys to appraise institutional culture change,
and increased curriculum on transgender older adults.
UC Davis Medical Center, formerly
known as Sacramento Medical Center, is a major academic health center located
in Sacramento, California. This video shows strategies used there to improve healthcare
and decrease national LGBT disparities:
Frances Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A
Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available
in paperback and e-book editions in America and other countries at online and
offline booksellers.
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