LGBTQ+ People Are More Than Twice as Likely to Be Disrespected or Treated Unfairly by Their Doctor
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The survey also showed that LGBTQ+ adults were more than twice as likely as non-LGBTQ+ adults to report other negative experiences with a healthcare provider in the past three years, including the following: a provider assumed something about them without asking, suggested they personally were to blame for a health problem, or ignored a direct request or question they asked.
The survey highlights the ongoing challenges facing LGBTQ+ people in the United States, says Lindsey Dawson, the associate director of HIV policy and the director of LGBTQ health policy at KFF. “While some healthcare institutions may be providing training to help make providers and staff aware of biases and professional responsibilities, the survey findings here suggest that what training is available is insufficient,” says Dawson.
What It Feels Like to Be Disrespected by a Healthcare Provider — in Their Own Words
Survey respondents had the opportunity to describe their difficulty accessing care and discussed being dismissed, ignored, and insulted in open-ended questions. Here are a few excerpts from what they wrote, in their own words:
- “I am a transgender woman and I still have my legal name. Outside of my gender clinic … every other doctor I’ve gone to has used my deadname and misgendered me despite me introducing myself as my chosen name and gender.” — 18-year-old LGBTQ+ adult from New York
- “They acted as if I wasn’t there, as if I was not human.” — 38-year-old LGBTQ+ adult from Ohio
- “Seemed dismissed as a person. Just received minimal care and not any respect as a person with a health issue. Felt like just a bother to their day.” — 24-year-old LGBTQ+ adult from Tennessee
Black and Hispanic LGBTQ+ Adults More Likely to Report Unfair Treatment or Disrespect Because of Race
The percentage of respondents who reported unfair or disrespectful treatment are similar among LGBTQ+ adults across racial and ethnic groups, though Black and Hispanic LGBTQ+ adults are more likely than white LGBTQ+ adults to say they’ve experienced poor treatment specifically due to their race or ethnic background.
Nearly a quarter of Black LGBTQ+ adults and 15 percent of Hispanic LGBTQ+ adults who used healthcare in the past three years say they were treated unfairly or with disrespect by a doctor or healthcare provider during that period because of their racial or ethnic background.
Lack of Respect and Unfair Treatment by Doctors Can Impact Care
In many cases, a recent negative experience with a provider led to consequences that could impact a person’s short- and long-term health.
Among people who reported disrespect or unfair treatment:
- 39 percent were less likely to seek care in the future.
- 36 percent switched providers.
- 24 percent felt it caused their health to get worse.
Additionally, the majority of LGBTQ+ adults surveyed said they had to be very careful about their appearance in order to be treated fairly, prepare themselves for insults when visiting a doctor or other healthcare provider, or both.
Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People More Likely to Smoke, Misuse Alcohol, and Have Chronic Conditions
LGBTQ+ People Report Poorer Mental Health
When asked to rate their own mental health, 39 percent of LGBTQ+ adults said it was fair or poor. This included larger shares of LGBTQ+ adults under 30 years old. Overall, about half of LGBTQ+ adults reported feeling anxious either always or often in the past year, while a third reported feeling lonely or depressed often or always. These rates are all about double compared with those of non-LGBTQ+ adults.
Nearly half of LGBTQ+ adults (46 percent) said there was a time in the past three years when they needed mental health services but didn’t get them. Among those who received or tried to receive mental health care, roughly half said it was difficult to find a provider who could relate to their background and experience (51 percent), would take their health insurance (49 percent), or that they could afford (48 percent).
“The survey results reiterate something we have known for a long time: that LGBTQ people report poorer mental health compared to their peers, and this is coupled with inadequate access to mental health care,” says Dawson. These findings are likely intertwined — recurrent experiences of stigma and discrimination throughout a person’s life can negatively impact their well-being, she says.
Most LGBTQ+ Adults Reported Positive Interactions With Providers Most of the Time
Although negative healthcare experiences are more common for LGBTQ+ adults than for heterosexual people, that’s not the whole story. Among LGBTQ+ adults, “consistently large shares” of respondents reported positive provider interactions at least most of the time in the past three years.
Tools for Finding LGBTQ+ Competent Care
If it’s possible, seek out LGBTQ+ competent care in your area, says Dawson. “Some might have the opportunity to find a good provider by word of mouth, seek out care at an LGBTQ-focused health center, use databases like the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory, or look for an LGBTQ allied mental health provider via search tools like Psychology Today’s,” she says.
RELATED: 6 Ways to Tell Whether Your Doctor’s Office Is Trans-Friendly
Telehealth has also made accessing a more diverse range of providers easier for some people, says Dawson. “Unfortunately, though, some people might still struggle to find an LGBTQ competent provider or specialist near them.”
Expert Tips for Communicating With Your Doctor if You Are LGBTQ+
- A provider you’re comfortable with can make it easier to be honest about your medical needs and your life.
- Get the right care and screenings for the body parts you have. No matter your gender identity, all your body parts need the appropriate care.
- Tell your doctor if you have experienced trauma.
- Tell your doctor all medications, supplements, and other drugs you are taking.
- Find a doctor you can trust with information about your sex life and your sexual partners.
- More LGBTQ+ people are choosing to become parents; this may be something to discuss with your provider.
- Bring a trusted friend if you need emergency care. It’s hard enough getting this type of care on your own. Bring an advocate who can help.
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