Self-reported knowledge and attitudes surrounding care of LGBTQIA+ patients in the emergency department

Abstract

Objective

The ED is a common pathway for receiving care for all consumers. Little is known about staff perspectives about care of consumers who identify as LGBTQIA+ in an Australian setting. We sort to explore staff knowledge, attitude and behaviours around care of LGBTQIA+ consumers to identify potential barriers to care.

Methods

An anonymised electronic survey of staff from a community hospital ED was conducted. Medical, nursing, allied health and clerical staff were all invited to participate. The survey contained 33 questions in the form of multiple-choice questions and free-text commentary. Responses were pooled and analysed both as a whole and by role within the ED.

Results

One hundred nine participants responded (response rate 25.3%). Over 50% of respondents were aged 44 years or less (74.4%), and predominantly identified as female (63.3%) and heterosexual (80.7%). Most respondents did not find treating or interacting with LGBTQIA+ consumers challenging, difficult, or uncomfortable irrespective of role. Most disagreed it was more difficult to undertake a clinical assessment compared to other consumers. Consumer-led education from people identifying as LGBTQIA+ was preferred for improving care (26.6%).

Conclusions

This study found that despite little or no formal training in provision of care for LGBTQIA+ consumers, respondents saw LGBTQIA+ consumers as a relatively small group within the wider ED consumer population and did not see the treatment of LGBTQIA+ consumers as more challenging with respect to interaction, assessment and provision of care.