"No one size fits all" A Multi-Method Survey of Oncology Allied Health Professionals Experiences with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Queer Questioning Adolescent, and Young Adult Patients with Cancer and Reproductive and Sexual Health".
Amani SampsonRebecca BlockPaige W LakeJulia GagliardiBianca AugustoWaleska Santiago-DatilMegan SutterMatthew B SchabathSusan VadaparampilGwendolyn P QuinnPublished in: Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology (2022)
Objectives: To assess training needs for providers who care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/queer questioning (LGBTQ) cancer patients, we conducted a mixed-method survey. During their cancer care experience, AYA cancer patients experience physical, psychosocial, and reproductive health challenges. In addition to these challenges, AYA LGBTQ individuals are a diverse and medically underserved population who experience unique challenges and disparities in medical care. Methods: Health care providers ( n = 351) who participated in our reproductive health in cancer training program completed a survey with 28 quantitative items and 4 open-ended items assessing knowledge, confidence discussing reproductive health, and confidence in knowledge specific to reproductive needs and general health needs among AYA LGBTQ patients. Results: Confidence discussing and confidence in knowledge of reproductive and general health needs are lower regarding transgender and nonbinary patients. Nearly half of providers (45%) demonstrated low knowledge, while 38% and 17% demonstrated moderate and high knowledge, respectively. Open comments indicated providers desired more training around the needs of Trans and nonbinary patients, and creating welcoming environments. Conclusions: The majority of our participants demonstrate low or moderate knowledge regarding factors that can influence AYA LGBTQ patient care, suggesting that this is a key area for improvement. Furthermore, improving provider knowledge may subsequently improve confidence in general and reproductive needs of LGBTQ patients, resulting in improved patient-centered care. Improving provider knowledge and confidence may then ultimately help reduce disparities in cancer care among this patient population.
Keyphrases
- healthcare
- end stage renal disease
- young adults
- mental health
- newly diagnosed
- ejection fraction
- chronic kidney disease
- palliative care
- peritoneal dialysis
- men who have sex with men
- primary care
- hiv testing
- minimally invasive
- health information
- hiv positive
- papillary thyroid
- quality improvement
- human immunodeficiency virus
- high intensity
- lymph node metastasis
- hepatitis c virus
- squamous cell