LGBTQIA+ healthcare content in pre-registration nursing and midwifery curricula: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Nurses and midwives are expected to provide inclusive care for LGBTQIA+ populations. However, there is a paucity of knowledge on how well-prepared nursing and midwifery graduates are for this aspect of their role.

Aim

To explore LGBTQIA+ content in pre-registration nursing and midwifery curricula in Australia.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Settings

Australian higher education institutions offering 86 pre-registration nursing and midwifery programs.

Sample

Publicly available pre-registration nursing and midwifery course programs in Australia as presented in the online course handbooks of 25 randomly selected educational institutions.

Methods

A LGBTQIA+ terminology matrix was developed to guide data extraction from subject titles, synopses, and learning outcomes. Explicit terms were those strongly associated with LGBTQIA+. Implicit terms were those indirectly associated with LGBTQIA+. Explicit and implicit LGBTQIA+ terms were analyzed for frequencies. Poisson regression was used to compare counts of LGBTQIA+ terms by course, subject, and university.

Results

Among the 1093 subjects, no subject titles included explicit terms and 6 (0.55 %) titles included implicit LGBTQIA+ terminology. Explicit LGBTQIA+ terminology was identified in 54 (4.9 %) subject synopses and implicit terminology was found in 323 (29.6 %) subject synopses. Explicit LGBTQIA+ terms were identified in 14 (1.3 %) learning outcomes while implicit terms were found in 323 (29.6 %) learning outcomes. Group of Eight universities were more likely to use explicit and implicit LGBTQIA+ terminology than non-Group of Eight universities (p < 0.001; p = 0.035). Undergraduate programs included more LGBTQIA+ terminology than postgraduate programs (p = 0.019; p < 0.001). Core subjects were more likely to include LGBTQIA+ content than elective subjects (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Explicit LGBTQIA+ terminology was minimal indicating limited overall content. The study results alert nursing and midwifery educators to take a targeted approach to teaching and learning with a LGBTQIA+ focus to support future nurses and midwives with quality knowledge and skills and ensure equitable and safe care for LGBTQIA+ people.