Health and identity-related interactions between lesbian, bisexual, queer and pansexual women and their healthcare providers.
Disclosure of sexual identity among sexual minority women is related to better outcomes and improved quality of care. The existing literature on sexual minority women's experiences of identity disclosure and related interactions with healthcare providers draws little distinction between different groups of sexual minority women, despite the different barriers, stigma and health outcomes that exist between them. This paper presents factors influencing identity disclosure and describes the characteristics of interactions that sexual minority women have with their healthcare providers around sexual identity and health. Using a mixed-methods approach, both qualitative and quantitative data were gathered using an online survey. The sample included lesbian, bisexual, queer and pansexual women from across the USA. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed concurrently, and qualitative themes were quantified and integrated into quantitative analyses. Identity disclosure, reasons for disclosing identity and characteristics of interactions with providers varied by identity, but often overlapped. Bisexual and pansexual participants were significantly less likely to disclose identity than lesbian participants. There were no significant differences related to age or ethnicity. Findings from this study have the potential to inform ethical medical practices and improve healthcare quality among sexual minority women.
a Department of Kinesiology , California State University Stanislaus , Turlock , CA , USA.
Aleta
A
Baldwin
b Department of Applied Health Science , Indiana University , Bloomington , IN , USA.
Brian
B
Dodge
c School of Public Health , University of Texas Health Science , Houston , TX , USA.
Vanessa
V
Schick
b Department of Applied Health Science , Indiana University , Bloomington , IN , USA.
Debra
D
Herbenick
d The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction , Indiana University , Bloomington , IN , USA.
Stephanie A
SA
Sanders
e School of Medicine , Indiana University , Indianapolis , IN , USA.
Roshni
R
Dhoot
f Division of Adolescent Medicine, School of Medicine , Indiana University , Indianapolis , IN , USA.
J Dennis
JD
Fortenberry
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities / Q000523:psychology*; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Lesbian; bisexual; clinician-patient relationships; disclosure; pansexual; queer; self-identity; women