Advocating for LGBTQ+ Health Equity Through Technology
Did you know that LGBTQ+ individuals experience significant health disparities compared to the general population? These disparities are largely due to a lack of cultural competence in the care of LGBTQ patients. To address these disparities, we must understand the history and experiences of LGBTQ+ people. During LGBQT+ History Month, let’s reflect on how technology can help us advocate for better healthcare for all community members.
History of LGBTQ Care in the U.S.
Since the beginning of health care, LGBTQ Americans have been mistreated, discriminated against, and denied care. This mistreatment is rooted in a long history of homophobia and transphobia within the medical establishment and society. Despite some progress in recent years, disparities in care continue to persist. In fact, nearly on sixth of LGBTQ adults report having experienced discrimination at their doctor’s office or other healthcare settings (The Harvard Gazette). LGBTQ Americans are more likely to experience poorer health outcomes and face significant barriers to receiving quality care. These realities are unacceptable.
Part of the problem is that we’ve designed a healthcare ecosystem that considers the experiences of straight, cisgender people specifically and every other marginalized group we treat as “other.” Currently, one in eight LGBTQ patients lives in states where doctors can refuse to treat them (NBCnews.com). This can make it difficult for LGBTQ people to find relevant and accurate health information or access quality care. It can also lead to misdiagnosis, and poor treatment, leading to them not trusting the care they’re receiving or avoiding care altogether. To address these disparities, we need to consider the needs of LGBTQ people when designing new healthcare technology. Only then will we be able to provide everyone with the quality care they deserve.
The importance of culturally competent care to LGBTQ+ Communities
You can’t talk about improving care and outcomes for the LGBTQ+ community without discussing culturally competent care. Culturally competent care is a term used to describe healthcare that is respectful of and responsive to the needs of patients from diverse cultures. This notion can be taken for granted for some, but for the LGBTQ+ community, it’s a little more elusive. LGBTQ+ patients often have unique healthcare needs that can be overlooked or misunderstood by providers who are not culturally competent. For example, transgender patients may need hormone therapy or surgery in addition to primary care, and lesbian and bisexual women may require specialized care for cervical cancer or sexually transmitted infections. LGBTQ+ patients also have a higher risk of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, which homophobic and transphobic attitudes can exacerbate. Providers who are not culturally competent or who are not mindful of avoiding unconscious or intentional bias may inadvertently cause harm by making assumptions about their patients’ needs or using offensive language. Conversely, culturally competent providers can make a massive difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ patients by creating a safe and welcoming environment where their unique needs can be addressed.
How Can Technology Help to Solve Persistent Gaps?
Technology can help us advocate for better healthcare for LGBTQ+ people in several ways. First, technology can help increase access to care. For example, telehealth services can provide much-needed care to rural and underserved populations who may not have otherwise had access. Additionally, technology can help us improve the quality of care for LGBTQ+ patients. For instance, electronic health records can help providers track patients’ sexual orientation and gender identity and any related health disparities. This information is critical to providing culturally competent care. Technology can also aid the removal of biases from data and care approaches. Tech can also make it less traumatic to receive care. Historically, patients had to identify as male or female when being oriented to care; this can trigger patients struggling with acceptance or identity. Traditionally, if providers wanted to add a patient’s chosen pronouns to a record, they would incur additional costs, thus persuading many clinicians to opt out of considering the patient’s pronouns. Now, we’re seeing a shift where pronouns are considered foundational to API action. One notable solution is Redox. Redox is healthcare’s most trusted and widely adopted healthcare API platform. Redox has created “Extensions” to create additional customization for their customers, which was only made available to premium customers at premium prices. But now, after some soul-searching, there will be a set of extensions that are available to all users, starting with some new extensions to include pronouns. This change will not only make healthcare more inclusive for everyone regardless of gender identity, but it will also make Redox the most comprehensive healthcare API platform on the market. Redox is affirming its commitment to healthcare equity and inclusivity for all by making these changes.
Finally, technology can help us increase awareness of the unique needs of LGBTQ+ people. For example, social media can be used to educate the public about the importance of LGBQT+ health equity. Additionally, technology can help us connect with and support one another. There are many online forums and support groups for LGBTQ+ people to find a community and share their experiences. I would encourage healthcare organizations and startups to engage the LGBTQ+ community and understand how we can use tech to make care settings a safe place.
Technology has the power to transform healthcare for the better. Using technology to advocate for LGBTQ+ health equity can help build a more inclusive and just healthcare system for all.
What other ways can technology be used to advocate for LGBTQ+ health equity? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send me a tweet!
