1 Gender Diversity in Healthcare xxxx School of Community and Health Studies, Centennial College NUPD 703-701: Cultural Awareness, Ethics and Professional Practice Prof xxxx December xxxx 2 Gender Diversity in Healthcare Gender diversity refers to the representation of various gender identities that go beyond the traditional binary of male and female. Individuals may identify themselves in ways that differ from stereotypical gender norms. The acronym 2SLGBTQIA+ (also known as the queer community) includes various sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions (Registered Nurses Association of Ontario [RNAO], 2021). The acronym stands for “Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and other identities/expressions”. The 2SLGBTQIA+ community celebrates diversity which includes individuals of all races/ethnicities, religious backgrounds and socioeconomic classes (Bass & Nagy, 2023). It is an inclusive environment where people of all gender expressions feel welcomed, valued, respected, and supported as a member. In the healthcare setting, focusing on awareness of gender diversity allows for nurses to provide culturally competent care to everyone. In healthcare, gender diversity allows interdisciplinary staff to better understand their patients and promote a better work culture. According to research, having a healthcare team with a variety of gender, racial, and ethnic backgrounds allows for better understanding of different populations and their unique needs (Nair & Adetayo, 2019). This may help alleviate healthcare disparities and allow minorities to feel more comfortable receiving medical help from those who may share similar identities and experiences. This inclusive environment also strengthens the therapeutic-nurse client relationship based on trust and respect. In the media, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is often highly misrepresented through negative stereotypes and/or are portrayed as evil/bad people. Having a representation of diversity in the medical field will improve healthcare experiences and outcomes. As nurses we can better learn how to provide inclusive care that respects and acknowledges individuals’ gender expressions. Understanding and respecting the 3 gender spectrum allows nurses to create an open and trusting environment which allows patients to express their unique health concerns comfortably. Nurses can better develop individualized care plans that are specific to their needs. This includes screening for specific health risks, mental health problems, and social/environmental factors related to gender-related experiences. There are many ethical issues and concerns related to gender diversity in the healthcare system. Some examples include limited access to healthcare due to financial barriers or not enough trained staff. There may also be institutional discrimination which raises ethical questions about healthcare justice and equality. The ethical issues arise when healthcare staff lack education, exposure or training in providing respectful and affirming care, resulting in discrimination or inadequate treatment (Nair & Adetayo, 2019). Moreover, providing genderaffirming interventions requires informed consent (Bass & Nagy, 2023). The ethical dilemma about this may arise when patients, especially minors, seek gender-affirming treatments, and healthcare providers must decide between patient autonomy, parental consent, and the potential risks and benefits. Another concern about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, is that their physical and mental health outcomes are worse when compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts (Primeau et al., 2022). They also exhibited elevated rates of mental health issues (anxiety & depression), substance abuse (tobacco & alcohol), sexually transmitted diseases, and suicide/self-harm (Medina-Martínez et al., 2021). Healthcare providers that lack training and education often encounter difficulties when caring for patients in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. These challenges may include but not limited to; difficulty in openly addressing sexual healthrelated issues, unfamiliarity with gender-affirming treatments, and overlooking to use genderneutral terms such as “partner” or “significant other” (Bass & Nagy, 2023). 4 The 2SLGBTQIA+ community has unfortunately faced a difficult history. However, healthcare professionals can acquire the education to provide high quality and compassionate care. This can be achieved by first understanding the various genders and pronouns used by the members of this community. It is important to note that some individuals of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community may use terms such as fag, dyke, gay, homo, or queer to describe their sexual orientation or partners (Bass & Nagy, 2023). Although patients might use these terms, this can be considered derogatory if used by healthcare professionals. It is important for nurses to listen and ask questions that are appropriate and respectful when they are unsure. Nurses can also advocate by educating staff about sexual orientation, gender diversity, and sexual practices (MedinaMartínez et al., 2021). Other interventions involve participating in bullying and suicide prevention programs, education programs about 2SLGBTQIA+, gender-affirming and familycentred care. These interventions can be implemented to establish an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone. Due to the prevalence of discrimination and restrictive norms, actions are needed to bring about equality and change. There are numerous barriers and health disparities that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community face when it comes to healthcare. Our responsibility as nurses involve awareness of these inequalities so we can offer culturally sensitive and gender-affirming care. The Code of Conduct: Practice Standard outlines primary nursing principles that should be implemented to respect cultural diversity among healthcare staff, patients, and their families (College of Nurses of Ontario [CNO], 2023). Nurses significantly contribute to the well-being of individuals by advocating and fostering cultural competence. As nurses, we must continue to address each patient with dignity, respect, and compassion regardless of their gender identity. 5 References Bass, B., & Nagy, H. (2023, November). Cultural Competence in the Care of LGBTQ Patients. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563176/ College of Nurses of Ontario. (2023, August). Practice Standard: Code of Conduct. https://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/49040_code-of-conduct.pdf Medina-Martínez, J., Saus-Ortega, C., Sánchez-Lorente, M. M., Sosa-Palanca, E. M., GarcíaMartínez, P., & Mármol-López, M. I. (2021). Health Inequities in LGBT People and Nursing Interventions to Reduce Them: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(22), 11801. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182211801 Nair, L., & Adetayo, O. A. (2019). Cultural Competence and Ethnic Diversity in Healthcare. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open, 7(5). https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002219 Primeau, C. A., Vader, K., Philpott, H. T., & Xiong, Y. (2022). A Need for Greater Emphasis on 2SLGBTQIA+ Health Among Physiotherapists in Canada. Physiotherapy Canada, 74(2), 117–120. https://doi.org/10.3138/ptc-2021-0107-gee Registered Nurses Association of Ontario. (2021, June). Promoting 2SLGBTQI+ Health Equity. https://rnao.ca/sites/rnao-ca/files/bpg/2SLGBTQI_BPG_June_2021.pdf
