Heteronormativity and practitioner–patient interaction

Abstract

Heteronormativity is the presumption of heterosexuality as the default sexual orientation and can result in discrimination against the lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) population. This study serves as one of the first experimental studies to examine heteronormative perceptions in communication and their effects on practitioner-patient relationships.LGB participants were randomly assigned to read either heteronormative or non-heteronormative vignettes of a doctor-patient interaction. They then indicated how much health-relevant information they would disclose to the doctor in the vignette and their level of trust in the doctor. In the heteronormative condition, participants were less likely to disclose healthrelevant information to the doctor in the vignette and were less trustful of the doctor as compared to those in the non-heteronormative condition. These results have important health implications, as lack of disclosure and trust may prevent people from getting needed care and prevent doctors from giving the best health advice possible. The results of this study provide further evidence that there is a need for more education for all health care professionals to feel comfortable while respectfully communicating with and treating patients who do not identify as heterosexual in order to ensure the best health care experience.

Care delivery, patient experiences, and health outcomes among sexual and gender minority patients with cancer and survivors: A scoping review

“…However, the lack of availability of SOGI data relates to each of these topic areas; therefore, thus whether and how SOGI disclosure occurs is an issue fundamental to research with SGM populations. SOGI is central to individual identity, yet the assumption of heterosexual orientation and biological gender at birth can lead to patients feeling misunderstood, disconnected from their providers, socially isolated, or even stigmatized . When SGM patients disclose SOGI, it may be happening more often to correct assumptions that patients are heterosexual or cisgender (ie, nontransgender) .…”

Co‐producing knowledge of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) health‐care inequalities via rapid reviews of grey literature in 27 EU Member States

“…Rapid reviews showed how health‐care inequalities occur in contexts of heteronormativity where heterosexuality is upheld as a key social and cultural norm. Broader research shows in health‐care settings where LGBTI people access care, being heterosexual is often assumed as a given . LGBTI people are marginalized due to heteronormative or gender normative assumptions conveyed in communication between health professionals and their patients where language is infused with subtle meaning .…”

“…When LGBTI people are overlooked due to assumed heterosexuality, cisgenderism (non‐trans) and normative sex characteristics (intersex), the relationship between health providers and people who access care is adversely affected. In these instances, LGBTI people who access health care and other support services are less likely to be open and disclose their sexual orientation, gender identities or sex characteristics in the first few consultations, or they may be hesitant to share information relevant to their specific needs . Consequently, health professionals may not have all the relevant information needed to make adequate assessment of their health needs when suggesting appropriate treatment options .…”

A Qualitative Study Examining Young Adults’ Experiences of Disclosure and Nondisclosure of LGBTQ Identity to Health Care Providers

“…Even if patients do not experience overt discrimination, they may experience non-affirming care. For example, healthcare professionals may assume patients are heterosexual (Beehler, 2001; Utamsingh, Richman, Martin, Lattanner, & Chaikind, 2016) or address health from a heteronormative perspective (Johnson & Nemeth, 2014; Eliason & Schope, 2001). These experiences can create an unwelcoming environment for LGBTQ patients (Beehler, 2001) and result in a decreased likelihood of seeking care in the future (Johnson & Nemeth, 2014).…”