As health care strives to better serve diverse communities, one issue remains strikingly neglected: true inclusivity for LGBTQ+ patients and staff. I’ve dedicated my career, as an LGBTQ+ health care provider and researcher, to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in health care settings.My recent research involved interviewing nurse leaders across the US, most of whom held C-suite positions, such as Chief Nursing Officers and Chief Nurse Executives. their insights reveal eye-opening truths about what inclusivity truly means. While manny institutions claim support for marginalized groups, implementing supportive policies and practices remains a struggle. These nurse leaders called for a passionate commitment to fostering inclusivity, emphasizing that “serving humanity,” as one leader eloquently stated, is about seeing past superficial differences and focusing on shared human needs.
True inclusivity isn’t accidental – it requires purposeful action. It needs active leadership engagement and a willingness to address challenging topics. The leaders I spoke with stressed the need for open dialogues about LGBTQ+ issues, even discussions about discomfort and bias. Frequently enough, though, these critically important conversations are rare in many institutions, and inclusive efforts frequently remain fragmented.
These leaders also underscored the importance of dedicated resources. Accessible and integrated LGBTQ+ inclusivity strategies shouldn’t be seen as “nice to haves” but as core values embedded within organizational priorities. One leader correctly identified this need by highlighting that, “it’s an critically important way to demonstrate that inclusivity matters to the whole health system and to the community.”
Magnet hospitals, recognized for nursing excellence and positive patient outcomes, demonstrate this commitment to inclusive care. My own research found that these hospitals consistently outperformed non-Magnet hospitals on the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), a benchmark for LGBTQ+ inclusivity.This isn’t just coincidental: Magnet designation reflects a commitment to patient-centered care that embraces diversity.
Beyond policies, inclusivity requires concrete action.Adapting healthcare systems to collect sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data seems straightforward, but concerns arise. As one chief Nursing Officer pointed out, “When you’re collecting SOGI details, people are like, ‘what do you do with that information?’”
This underscores the need for thoughtful and respectful methods that build trust and ensure LGBTQ+ patients feel safe sharing their identities.
Inclusivity extends beyond patients. Many leaders advocated for greater diversity in leadership and staffing. “Representation is really important,” a Chief Nursing Officer shared, emphasizing the unique outlook those lived experiences bring. When health care leadership reflects the communities they serve, it fosters empathy and more informed patient care.
For organizations unable to achieve immediate leadership diversity, training programs and engagement with LGBTQ+ employees are critical bridges. The current political climate, filled with hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community, underscores the urgency of creating safe and affirming healthcare environments.
One nursing leader’s powerful statement captures the gravity of the situation,”If not us,who?” Amidst legislative attacks on LGBTQ+ health care,including laws targeting transgender and gender diverse populations,health systems have a renewed responsibility to provide essential services and a safe haven for LGBTQ+ individuals.
the voices of nurse leaders and robust interventions can shape a path forward for meaningful change. Healthcare must reflect our commitment to not just enacting policies but truly incorporating inclusivity into the very fabric of our practices. Only than can health care achieve its true purpose: serving everyone, without exception.
How can healthcare leaders effectively address discomfort when discussing LGBTQ+ issues among staff?
Q&A with Dr. Alex Turner: Championing LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Healthcare
Editor (Time.news): Thank you for joining us, Dr.Turner. Your extensive research has provided critical insights into the current state of LGBTQ+ inclusivity in healthcare.can you start by sharing your motivation behind focusing on this significant area?
Dr. Alex Turner: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. I’ve dedicated my career as an LGBTQ+ healthcare provider and researcher to understanding the unique challenges this community faces. The motivation stems from a deep commitment to ensuring that all individuals receive the quality of care they deserve, nonetheless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is concerning that despite the strides in healthcare equity, true inclusivity remains strikingly neglected.
Editor: In your recent interviews with nurse leaders, what where some of the key insights regarding inclusivity for LGBTQ+ patients and staff?
Dr. Turner: One crucial insight is that although many institutions claim to support marginalized groups, implementing supportive policies often lags behind. The nurse leaders I spoke with emphasized that ”serving humanity” means looking beyond superficial differences and focusing on our shared human needs. Ther needs to be a passionate commitment to fostering inclusivity, which requires thoughtful action and genuine leadership engagement.
Editor: Leadership engagement is indeed vital. How can healthcare organizations foster discussions about LGBTQ+ issues, especially when these conversations can sometimes be uncomfortable?
Dr. Turner: Leaders must create open dialogues surrounding LGBTQ+ topics, even when it’s challenging. These discussions are currently rare in many facilities, leading to fragmented inclusivity efforts. It’s critical to normalize these conversations and to address discomfort directly. Leaders should actively encourage staff to share their perspectives and experiences to make inclusivity a priority.
Editor: You also highlighted the need for dedicated resources. How can organizations prioritize LGBTQ+ inclusivity strategies?
dr. Turner: LGBTQ+ inclusivity shouldn’t be perceived as an optional initiative—it must be embedded within an organization’s core values. Leaders should actively invest in dedicated resources that support inclusive practices. As a notable example, Magnet hospitals, which are recognized for nursing excellence, show that those who commit to inclusive care consistently outperform non-Magnet counterparts on the Healthcare Equality Index.
Editor: That’s a significant point. You mentioned the collection of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data as a necessary step for inclusivity. Can you elaborate on the concerns that arise with this practice?
Dr. Turner: Certainly. While collecting SOGI data seems straightforward, it raises questions about privacy and trust. many patients worry about how their details will be used. It’s crucial to approach this data collection thoughtfully and respectfully to ensure LGBTQ+ patients feel safe sharing their identities. Building that trust is essential for effective healthcare.
Editor: you’ve also indicated that inclusivity extends beyond patients. What role does depiction in leadership and staffing play in promoting LGBTQ+ care?
Dr. Turner: Representation is vital. When healthcare leadership reflects the diversity of the communities they serve, it brings unique perspectives and fosters empathy. This representation can truly inform patient care and make healthcare environments more welcoming. For organizations struggling with immediate diversity in leadership, establishing training programs and engaging with LGBTQ+ employees can bridge that gap.
Editor: With the current political climate presenting challenges, what responsibilities do health systems have to support LGBTQ+ individuals?
Dr. Turner: Health systems hold a renewed duty to offer essential services and create safe havens for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially as legislative attacks increase. It’s imperative to advocate for and provide inclusive care. As one leader aptly mentioned,”If not us,who?” The time for action is now—healthcare must not only enact policies that reflect inclusivity but must also integrate it into the very fabric of practice to serve everyone without exception.
Editor: Thank you, dr. Turner, for sharing your expertise with us today. Your insights are pivotal as we strive towards true inclusivity in healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Dr. Turner: Thank you for shedding light on this critical issue. Together, we can drive meaningful change in the healthcare landscape.