Sexual minority cancer survivors' satisfaction with care

Abstract

Background Satisfaction with care is important to cancer survivors’ health outcomes. Satisfaction with care is not equal for all cancer survivors and sexual minority (i.e., lesbian, gay, and bisexual) cancer survivors may experience poor satisfaction with care. Methods Data were drawn from the 2010 LIVESTRONG national survey. The final sample included 207 sexual minority and 4,899 heterosexual cancer survivors. Satisfaction with care was compared by sexual orientation and a Poisson regression model was computed to test the associations between sexual orientation and satisfaction with care, controlling for other relevant variables. Results Sexual minority cancer survivors had lower satisfaction with care than heterosexual cancer survivors (B=−0.12, SE=0.04, Wald χ2=9.25, p<0.002), even controlling for demographic and clinical variables associated with care. Conclusions Sexual minorities experience poorer satisfaction with care compared to heterosexual cancer survivors. Clinical Implications: Satisfaction with care is especially relevant to cancer survivorship in light of the cancer-related health disparities reported among sexual minority cancer survivors.

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

“…Six studies focused on quality of care from the perspective of SGM patients with cancer . An online study of survivor perceptions found lower satisfaction with cancer care among SMs compared with their heterosexual counterparts . Similarly, a cross‐sectional study of prostate cancer survivors found that approximately 45% of SM men reported uncertainty or dissatisfaction with cancer care and that health care satisfaction acted as a mediator between experiencing physical symptoms and fear of recurrence .…”

“…Of the studies that listed sources of funding, the most commonly cited sources were the National Institutes of Health (n = 5), the American Cancer Society (n = 3), and the Susan G. Komen Foundation (n = 4). In total, 7 studies reported on GM status: 5 studies collected GM status and combined those individuals with SMs, 1 additional study included GMs as a distinct group, and 1 study focused on transgender and gender‐nonconforming patients …”

“…Six studies focused on quality of care from the perspective of SGM patients with cancer . An online study of survivor perceptions found lower satisfaction with cancer care among SMs compared with their heterosexual counterparts .…”

Experiences and unmet needs of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people with cancer care: A systematic review and meta‐synthesis

“…Conversely, other studies have reported disparities in PROs between LGBT and heterosexual people with cancer. Utilizing population‐wide samples and study‐specific questionnaires, these studies show that LGBT people with cancer experienced more depressive symptoms and social and relationship difficulties, inferior outcomes across care‐related domains such as inclusion in decision making and being treated with dignity and respect, and less satisfaction with care . Differences between LGBT and non‐LGBT groups have also been observed by using more specific assessments of disease impact.…”

Culturally Competent Care for Sexual and Gender Minority Patients at National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers

“…6 Sexual minority populations also report lower satisfaction with patient-centered care and shared decision-making relating to cancer care. 7,8 Inclusion of family or significant others in care and decisionmaking also differs between SGM and heterosexuals/cisgender persons, perhaps related to different expectations and needs of cancer care. 9 In addition, many sexual minority cancer survivors experience discrimination, gaps in care, insufficient social support, and increased social isolation.…”