Abstract
The purpose of this study was to better understand LGBTQ patients’ perspectives on the quality of care they receive from medical care providers and to identify themes of affirming and non-affirming care. The study utilized a qualitative exploratory study design. Data was collected using semi-structured phone interviews. Using a non-probability snowball sampling procedure, 9 individuals who self-identify as LGBTQ agreed to participate in the study. The data was coded into themes and analyzed. Six themes were identified throughout the interviews including fear of disclosure of LGBTQ identity and provider response, the lacking of an effective process to gather information related to LGBTQ identity and health needs, cultural voyeurism in providers, a desire for more LGBTQ specific care and visibility, inadequate care, and inaccessibility of the entire healthcare system. This project concludes with a discussion of the findings and the themes seen in the way LGBTQ patient’s experience healthcare today. This research expands upon our current knowledge of affirmative care and the ways it can be enacted in healthcare settings. Social workers can use this knowledge to address the dichotomous ways in which healthcare settings are currently organized and promote policies and interaction styles among healthcare providers that are affirmative and accessible to the LGBTQ community.