Tamara Thomas

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Nearly 47% of LGBTQIA+ patients reported experiencing medical gaslighting in the past two years, according to a survey joint research study by Healthgrades and OutCare Health, the nation’s most comprehensive resource for LGBTQ+ health equity.
Healthcare inclusivity, unfortunately, is not a reality for many LGBTQ+ patients. Navigating the healthcare system can be traumatic for these individuals due to discrimination and structural barriers that deny them access to essential care.
For this study, the two companies wanted to know why LGBTQ+ people neglect or delay annual health appointments, LGBTQ+ patient experiences that can lead to care avoidance, levels of patient trust in doctors and medical institutions, and areas where doctor-patient relationships could improve.
The researchers surveyed 952 adults who identified as LGBTQIA+ and 1,049 adults who identified as cisgender and heterosexual.
When asked if they feel heard after expressing concerns about treatments and prescriptions, 49% of LGBTQ+ people said they did, compared to 61% of cisgender, heterosexual people.
The survey also revealed that LGBTQ+ people are less likely to visit doctors. In fact, according to the findings, in the past year, 1 in 4 LGBTQ+ U.S. adults did not have any health screenings, compared to 1 in 5 cisgender, heterosexual people. LGBTQ+ people also intentionally delayed, avoided, or skipped an exam in the past 12 months.
Furthermore, the survey revealed that compared to cisgender, heterosexual people, LGBTQ+ individuals are far more likely to experience instances of medical gaslighting, trauma, or discrimination. Specifically, 47% of LGBTQIA+ people reported experiencing medical gaslighting in the past two years. In addition, less than half of LGBTQ+ people were satisfied with their current doctor, and only 37% felt respected by them.
About 29% of LGBTQIA+ people felt dismissed or not taken seriously by their doctor when talking about health concerns or symptoms; this is 142% the rate observed among cisgender, heterosexual people. The survey also revealed that LGBTQIA+ people were 150% more likely to have experienced medical discrimination than cisgender, heterosexual people.
Not surprisingly, LGBTQ+ adults are also far less trusting of medical professionals and institutions than cisgender adults and heterosexual people. Specifically, 6% of LGBTQ+ people say that the fear of being discriminated against due to gender identity has prevented them from getting optimal care. According to the researchers, this 6% may seem inconsequential, but this number translates into over a million Americans.
According to the researchers,  this disparity reveals that doctor-patient relationships aren’t as strong as they should be to help drive purposeful conversations that lead to productive care.
“To mend these relationships, healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical companies, and marketers will have to step up and become more proactive in engaging with these patients in meaningful, respectful, honest, and compassionate ways. Otherwise, these disparities will continue to marginalize LGBTQ+ patients.”
 
Source: <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/new-study-finds-47-of-lgbtq-people-experience-medical-gaslighting">Healthline</a>
Primary source: <a href="https://b2b.healthgrades.com/insights/white-paper/insights-into-lgbtq-experiences-in-healthcare/">Healthgrades</a>

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LGBTQ+ adults are also far less trusting of medical professionals and institutions than cisgender adults and heterosexual people.