I demand to be treated as the person i am: Experiences of accessing primary health care for Australian adults who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer

Koh, CS; Kang, M; Usherwood, T

I demand to be treated as the person i am: Experiences of accessing primary health care for Australian adults who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer

Koh, CS Kang, M

Usherwood, T

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Sexual Health, 2014, 11 (3), pp. 258 - 264
Issue Date:: 2014-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Koh, CS	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Kang, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9438-2518	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Usherwood, T	en_US
dc.date.available	2014-04-22	en_US
dc.date.issued	2014-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Sexual Health, 2014, 11 (3), pp. 258 - 264	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1448-5028	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/118709
dc.description.abstract	Background Individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer (GLBTQ) suffer higher rates of illness and morbidity compared with the general population but may experience significant barriers to accessing primary health care. Method: We used an online questionnaire to explore GLBTQ adults' experiences of accessing primary health care in Australia. We developed the questionnaire in consultation with individuals who belonged to or worked closely with the GLBTQ community. Questions were open-ended and sought information about four topic areas: sexual identity and its meaning, utilisation of primary health care services, disclosure of sexual identity to primary care providers and experiences of accessing primary health care. Data were analysed by coding free-text responses into themes. Results: Ninety-nine valid responses were received. Participants were 18-60+ years old (modal age group: 20-29 years); 70% lived in cities. Of these, 49% identified as gay, 35% as lesbian, 13% as bisexual, 8% as queer and 3% as transgender. Some participants indicated more than one identity. GLBTQ-identifying adults often divided care, seeking different primary care services for different health concerns. Themes in relation to disclosure of sexual identity were: taking a rights-based position, experiences of homophobia and clinical context. Themes about access to primary health care were: diversity and heterogeneity, real or perceived discrimination, visual symbols and respect. Conclusion: Despite diversity, GLBTQ adults experience many barriers to accessing health care due to sexual identity. General practitioners and other primary health care providers have a role in ensuring equitable access to health care. © 2014 CSIRO.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Sexual Health	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1071/SH14007	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Public Health	en_US
dc.title	I demand to be treated as the person i am: Experiences of accessing primary health care for Australian adults who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	3	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	11	en_US
utslib.for	111708 Health and Community Services	en_US
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	16 Studies in Human Society	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	3	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	11	en_US

Abstract:

Background Individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer (GLBTQ) suffer higher rates of illness and morbidity compared with the general population but may experience significant barriers to accessing primary health care. Method: We used an online questionnaire to explore GLBTQ adults' experiences of accessing primary health care in Australia. We developed the questionnaire in consultation with individuals who belonged to or worked closely with the GLBTQ community. Questions were open-ended and sought information about four topic areas: sexual identity and its meaning, utilisation of primary health care services, disclosure of sexual identity to primary care providers and experiences of accessing primary health care. Data were analysed by coding free-text responses into themes. Results: Ninety-nine valid responses were received. Participants were 18-60+ years old (modal age group: 20-29 years); 70% lived in cities. Of these, 49% identified as gay, 35% as lesbian, 13% as bisexual, 8% as queer and 3% as transgender. Some participants indicated more than one identity. GLBTQ-identifying adults often divided care, seeking different primary care services for different health concerns. Themes in relation to disclosure of sexual identity were: taking a rights-based position, experiences of homophobia and clinical context. Themes about access to primary health care were: diversity and heterogeneity, real or perceived discrimination, visual symbols and respect. Conclusion: Despite diversity, GLBTQ adults experience many barriers to accessing health care due to sexual identity. General practitioners and other primary health care providers have a role in ensuring equitable access to health care. © 2014 CSIRO.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/118709