Health needs and experiences of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) in healthcare encounters in New Jersey

Purpose: To address the scarcity of information on the health needs of LGBT in New Jersey and examine healthcare encounters to inform health professional education and preparation around LGBT health.

Method: A mixed study design was utilized. Phase 1) Group interviews with forty LGBT participants were conducted and analyzed qualitatively to explore experiences and develop the survey. A literature review also informed survey development.

Phase 2) The survey addressing demographics, healthcare access, health and human service needs, and barriers to care was piloted and later administered to 438 LGBT participants through social media and local partners.

Analysis: NVivo 10 and SPSS 21 were used.

Results:  In the healthcare setting, experiences of LGBT patients were shaped by social and physical environmental factors, and influenced the quality of care received by the participants. Identified health needs included alcohol abuse, depression, HIV, obesity, smoking, chronic diseases, violence and substance abuse.  Barriers to seeking healthcare included scarceness of health professionals who were adequately trained and competent about LGBT health, providers with discriminatory attitudes, care environments which did not reflect LGBT inclusiveness, inadequate health insurance coverage and lack of personal finances, lack of information on and long distances from LGBT friendly practices, and transportation infrastructure which does not connect patients to LGBT friendly practices well.  

Conclusions: There is a need for better preparation of healthcare professionals to care for LGBT patients, to strengthen social services to improve access and for better integration of medical and social services.