Marguerite Lawrence
Columbus State University, Columbus Ga, USA
Title: Assessment of Military Healthcare Providers Cultural Competence Caring for the LGB Active Duty Patient
Biography
Biography: Marguerite Lawrence
Abstract
Census projections suggest that the U.S. population will grow to more than 130 million by 2030, and will approach 164 million by 2060. Current national estimates suggest that 2.6-4.9 million of the population will self-identify as lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB). Lack of knowledge of the health and well-being of the LGB population remains a significant shortcoming in health disparities research. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) found that the LGB population, when compared to heterosexuals, are at risk for the following high risk behaviors; smoking, excessive alcohol use, illegal drug use, suicide attempts, and depression.
As research continues addressing the health disparities of the LGB population, there is a lack of scientific knowledge pertaining to the physical health care needs of the active duty LGB population. Only recently has the Department of Defense (DoD) identified LGB active duty service members as a population within the military health care system with unique health care needs. Like other healthcare systems, the Military Healthcare System (MHS) has begun to focus on the environment of care and specific needs of the LGB active duty service member. As the LGB active duty service members and L, G, B military dependents have started to seek care in the MHS, the MHS must be prepared to welcome and provide tailored services to the population.
The purpose of this quality improvement project is to evaluate the effect of a tailored culturally competent intervention for the military health care providers caring for the LGB active duty service members