Enhancing Cultural Sensitivity in a Community Health Care Setting for LGBTQ Patients

ABSTRACT

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ)-identified individuals, particularly transgender individuals, experience significant health inequities such as increased risk for chronic health conditions and mental health concerns. Discrimination by health care professionals is a major deterrent for LGBTQ individuals to seek health care. The purpose of the article is to offer practice recommendations using targeted community actions to enhance LGBTQ cultural sensitivity in community health care settings. Strategic planning, assessment for readiness to change, environmental strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis, and use of community resources are recommended as part of a basic model for change in a community setting. Outcomes are measured using a cultural competency tool.