Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Patients: Collegiate Athletic Trainers' Perceptions

Abstract

Context Research suggests that patients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) are at risk for certain conditions and denied equal access to health care in physician offices compared with their heterosexual counterparts. However, little evidence exists regarding the treatment of LGBTQ student-athlete patients in the athletic training clinic and the role the athletic trainer (AT) plays in these health care experiences. Objective To explore the perceptions of ATs treating LGBTQ student-athlete patients. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Web-based survey. Patients or Other Participants A total of 1077 collegiate and university ATs completed the survey (5685 e-mails distributed, 1214 surveys started, access rate = 21.4%, completion rate = 88.7%). Main Outcome Measure(s) Demographic information and level of agreement in 3 areas (approach, quality of care, and comfort) were obtained on a 5-point Likert scale. We asked ATs their likeliness of providing guidance to student-athletes about navigating their sexuality generally and as it related to athletic participation, if they thought they provided equal health care to a student-athlete who identified as LGBTQ, how comfortable they were treating LGBTQ student-athlete patients, and how comfortable they thought student-athlete patients would be seeking care from them or from providers in their clinic. Results Overall, we found differences among groups for sexual orientation, gender, religion, and the existence of interpersonal contact with LGBTQ friends or family for approach, quality of care, and comfort. We also identified 2 main themes indicating ATs' desire for more training and education, specifically in caring for transgender student-athletes and providing patient-centered care with professionalism, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. Conclusions Although differences existed among demographic groups, ATs had a generally positive view of treating LGBTQ student-athlete patients and wanted more training and education on the specific needs of this population.

Athletic Trainers' Competence, Education, and Perceptions Regarding Transgender Student-Athlete Patient Care

“…Specifically, in the collegiate and university setting, ATs can ensure quality care for transgender patients free of discrimination, with a focus on preventing injuries, illnesses, and conditions common to the transgender community. Previous authors 14,15 identified that health care professionals had a generally positive view of treating transgender patients but also that they felt inadequately educated and trained to do so. In addition, ATs must comply with the Board of Certification Standards of Professional Practice, which state one must ''render quality patient care regardless of the patient's age, gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any characteristic protected by law.''…”

Transgender Athletes' Experiences With Health Care in the Athletic Training Setting

“…A common suggestion from participants was to increase the level of education ATs receive about transgender topics. Nye et al 19 observed that collegiate ATs desired more education and information on caring for transgender patients. In health care professions other than athletic training, researchers proposed that including LGBT education as part of professional curricula may have positive results.…”

“…At this point, the growing body of literature in athletic training related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) 2 patients has mostly considered the LGBT community as a whole and primarily examined ATs' perceptions of those patients. 19 No known literature exists regarding transgender patients' experiences with ATs. Athletic trainers treat patients from a variety of backgrounds in all settings, including athletics.…”

“…With the increasing percentage of the population who openly identifies as transgender, [4][5][6] it is reasonable to expect that ATs may encounter transgender patients during their careers. As Nye et al 19 found, many ATs already recognize the need to prepare for the possibility of treating transgender patients.…”

ntersectionality: The Role of the Athletic Trainer in Providing Culturally Competent Patient-Centered Care

“…Similarly, patients who are of racial or ethnic minorities, such as primarily those that are BIPOC, have also experienced unconscious biases in medical care that lead to healthcare inequities. 1 Studies on athletic trainers' perceptions of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) patients 4 and LGBTQ+ patients 5 have shown that respondents overall had positive attitudes toward LGBTQ+ patients, however, this was largely dependent on clinicians being female and/or having a close friend or relative that identified as LBG or LGBTQ+. 4,5 To our knowledge, there are no published studies specific to the healthcare provided to BIPOC patients by athletic trainers.…”