Capella University Biopsychosocial Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice 2 Example Paper
The LGBTQ community is of the vulnerable populations in healthcare. These individuals, especially teens, are prone to discrimination, violence (psychological and psychological), and bullying. They are thus prone to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, while others suffer social exclusion. These effects often limit teens from expressing themselves and often face significant harassment, and can even end up in injuries, like the teen in one of the presented case studies.
Current studies show that LGBTQ teens are six times more likely to suffer from depression and report higher suicide rates than other teens (Kaniuka et al., 2021). Most of their performance is also low, and their grades are poor due to the stress associated with their identity. Societal stigma on these teens impeded access to vital services such as healthcare and education due to fear of discrimination. Position statements urging policymakers to develop policies that consider their perspectives, particularly gender expression, are necessary. This essay analyzes position statements and evidence on LGBTQ community discrimination.
APA Position Statement
The American Psychological Association is an institution that has supported the rights of the LGBTQ community for a long time, and since the 1970s, when LGBTQs were classified as having mental health disorders. The organization moved from eliminating the diagnosis to developing position statements against discrimination, denial of human rights, and denial of expression (Ryan et al., 2020). The APA, through its numerous position statements, opposes private or public discrimination based on actual or perceived gender identity and supports full access to essential amenities such as employment, housing, and education (APA, n.d.).
Ryan et al. (2020) also state that the APA opposes efforts by parents or other individuals to enforce a gender on an individual based on stereotypical behavior against the LGBTQ community. The APA also supports social recognition and urges psychologists to support LGBTQ teens by developing strategies to end discrimination. The APA also condemns any discrimination against the LGBTQ from access to healthcare services (APA, n.d.). The APA has also contributed significantly to the understanding of the LGBTQ community and has produced numerous resources to educate the public and gather support from healthcare providers to end the discrimination against the LGBTQ community and promote access to care and quality lives; as identified earlier, they are more prone to mental health problems, physical violence, and they also suffer common healthcare conditions like all other individuals hence the need to improve access and reduce limitations to care access in healthcare.
Interprofessional Teams in Reducing LGBTQ Discrimination in Healthcare
Casey et al. (2019) show that most LGBTQ individuals avoid the hospital due to anticipated discrimination and trauma from past experiences in healthcare. Discrimination in healthcare can lead to poor care services access and quality and safety outcomes. Thus, there is a need to ensure that individuals have good access to care interventions. Numerous reports show that the LGBTQ community has faced discrimination where care providers are reluctant to treat them and have been turned away by health insurance policies (Casey et al., 2019). Ramsey et al. (2022) state that interprofessional teams have roles in advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ in healthcare by ensuring services are gender flexible. They also have a role of voicing their concerns in policy development to ensure accommodation of the LGBTQ community.
The interprofessional team also has the role of developing gender-sensitive policies in care delivery. These include developing competencies for culturally sensitive care to ensure inclusivity and diversity in healthcare (Ramsey et al., 2022). Communication is vital to creating good relationships, and verbal harassment is the most common harassment method in healthcare. Stokes (2019) note that nurses and other healthcare providers are patient advocates and fight to develop healthcare laws and policies that favor their patients. A robust needs assessment informs these policies.
Interprofessional teams should invest in understanding the unique needs of these patients to assist in policy development, research, and education directed toward meeting these needs (Ramsey et al., 2022). An interprofessional team approach is crucial due to the various effects of discrimination, and varied perspectives are necessary to prevent and manage LGBTQ community discrimination and sequelae. Jaffe (2020) states that interprofessional teams should first develop policies that protect LGBTQ employees from harassment and transfer the same energy to
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