Abstract
Aims and objectives: To ascertain health professionals’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents seeking health care for their children in a paediatric tertiary hospital setting which practises family-centred care.
Background. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents are often reluctant to disclose their sexual orientation to health
professionals for fear of discrimination and compromised quality of care. Staff knowledge, attitudes and beliefs can influence
disclosure by parents, but little is known about knowledge, attitudes and beliefs in paediatric tertiary hospital staff towards
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents accessing care for their children.
Design. Descriptive comparative study of health staff using a cross-sectional survey.
Methods. A set of validated anonymous questionnaires was used to assess knowledge about homosexuality, attitudes
towards lesbians and gay men, and gay affirmative practice. Three open-ended questions were also used to assess beliefs
about encouraging disclosure of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parenting roles and how this may impact on care.
Results. Of the 646 staff surveyed, 212 (328%) responded. Knowledge and attitudes were significantly associated with
professional group, gender, Caucasian race, political voting behaviour, presence of religious beliefs, the frequency of
attendance at religious services, the frequency of praying, and having a friend who was openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender.
Conclusion. This study highlighted that staff working in a tertiary paediatric hospital setting, with family-centred care
models in place, held attitudes and beliefs that may impact on the experience of hospitalisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender parents, and the quality of care received by their children.
Relevance to clinical practice. To promote equitable care to all families, organisations should ensure that family-centred care
policies and guidelines are adopted and appropriately implemented. In addition to formal education, affirmative health
service action and innovative methods may be required.
Background. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents are often reluctant to disclose their sexual orientation to health
professionals for fear of discrimination and compromised quality of care. Staff knowledge, attitudes and beliefs can influence
disclosure by parents, but little is known about knowledge, attitudes and beliefs in paediatric tertiary hospital staff towards
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents accessing care for their children.
Design. Descriptive comparative study of health staff using a cross-sectional survey.
Methods. A set of validated anonymous questionnaires was used to assess knowledge about homosexuality, attitudes
towards lesbians and gay men, and gay affirmative practice. Three open-ended questions were also used to assess beliefs
about encouraging disclosure of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parenting roles and how this may impact on care.
Results. Of the 646 staff surveyed, 212 (328%) responded. Knowledge and attitudes were significantly associated with
professional group, gender, Caucasian race, political voting behaviour, presence of religious beliefs, the frequency of
attendance at religious services, the frequency of praying, and having a friend who was openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender.
Conclusion. This study highlighted that staff working in a tertiary paediatric hospital setting, with family-centred care
models in place, held attitudes and beliefs that may impact on the experience of hospitalisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender parents, and the quality of care received by their children.
Relevance to clinical practice. To promote equitable care to all families, organisations should ensure that family-centred care
policies and guidelines are adopted and appropriately implemented. In addition to formal education, affirmative health
service action and innovative methods may be required.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 3396-3405 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of Clinical Nursing |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 23-24 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |