Efficacy of LGBTQI cultural competency training for oncology social workers

Abstract

Purpose

Oncology social workers rarely receive training on the health care needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) cancer patients. This study examined the efficacy of an intensive workshop that aimed to increase the knowledge, confidence, and clinical preparedness of social workers supporting LGBTQI cancer patients.

Methods

A workshop consisting of didactic and interactive content was provided to an opt-in sample of social workers (n = 26). Demographic questions, past exposure to LGBTQI patients and training, and self-reported behaviors were measured at baseline. Paired t-tests compared changes in confidence in learning objectives as well as self-reported knowledge, attitudinal awareness, and clinical preparedness based on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender development of clinical skills scale.

Results

Results showed statistically significant changes in two of three learning objectives (p = 0.001) and in two subscales of the LGBT-DOCSS (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Oncology social workers can benefit from opportunities for learning specific to LGBTQI health.

KEYWORDS:

• cultural competency
• LGBTQI health
• oncology social work
• training

Disclosure statement

The author reports no conflicts of interest related to this work.

Data availability statement

The data set is available by contacting the corresponding author.