Capella FPX 4015 Assessment 4

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Capella university

NURS-FPX4015 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment: A Holistic Approach to Patient-Centered Care

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Slide 1: Caring for Special Populations Teaching Presentation

Hello everyone. All of you should be well at this time. My name is Melusi. The presentation explores distinctive healthcare barriers that affect LGBTQ+ individuals and discusses effective methods to enhance nursing care quality through cultural competence for improved health results. 

Slide 2: Introduction to the LGBTQ+ Population and Their Unique Healthcare Needs

The LGBTQ+ population encounters unique difficulties during their health journey that affect their general wellness when getting fair medical treatment. Throughout history, LGBTQ+ people have experienced discrimination combined with social stigma and institutional barriers, which have produced health inequality. Medical discrimination produces two responses among LGBTQ+ individuals, including neglect of medical appointments and permanent withdrawal from healthcare systems. The combination of societal rejection, deficient affirming care, and minority stress results in higher susceptibility of LGBTQ+ individuals to mental health disorders as well as chronic conditions and substance use.  

In a nationwide, random-sample study conducted in the United States (U.S.), approximately one out of six LGBTQ+ individuals admitted to steering clear of medical services because of expected bias, while 16% disclosed encountering prejudice during healthcare interactions (Sileo et al., 2022). They encounter treatment violations that include being mistreated as well as facing improper gender practices and being denied medical services. Multiple barriers from both provider education deficits about LGBTQ+ health considerations and discriminatory medical policies intensify these health inequalities. Family rejection affects numerous LGBTQ+ youth and adults, so they face financial instability and suffer from housing insecurity while keeping fewer options for health services.

The healthcare industry continues to face a crucial problem because it lacks culturally appropriate care provision. LGBTQ+ patients face underemployment combined with deficient healthcare because numerous healthcare networks fail to establish inclusive practices. The elimination of LGBTQ+ health inequalities demands healthcare providers, along with nurses, to establish care models that are trauma-aware while providing positive and all-inclusive care experiences. The delivery of gender-affirming healthcare combined with better educational programs about LGBTQ+ well-being and inclusive treatment environments leads to enhanced patient health results (Sileo et al., 2022).

The recognition of specific healthcare challenges that LGBTQ+ people encounter enables healthcare professionals to create initiatives that minimize such disparities while expanding fair access to medical services. Comprehensive, compassionate nursing care that shows cultural competence functions as a key requirement for supplying LGBTQ+ patients with exceptional healthcare standards.

Slide 3: Cultural Values and Beliefs Influencing Healthcare

LGBTQ+ individuals often face barriers to accessing healthcare, leading to delays in medical treatment for both acute and chronic conditions. Many prioritize personal safety and social acceptance over seeking medical care due to past experiences of discrimination, stigma, and mistreatment within healthcare settings. Negative encounters with providers, such as misgendering, dismissal of concerns, or outright denial of care, contribute to distrust and reluctance to engage with medical professionals. Systemic barriers further complicate access to healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Stigma and societal discrimination discourage many from seeking medical attention, while trauma from past encounters with healthcare personnel fosters fear and avoidance of medical institutions (Clark et al., 2023). Financial constraints, lack of insurance coverage for gender-affirming care, and bureaucratic hurdles, such as legal name or gender marker discrepancies on identification, restrict access to necessary services.

LGBTQ+ subpopulations face distinct health challenges. Transgender individuals struggle to obtain gender-affirming treatments, while LGBTQ+ youth face higher risks of mental health disorders and substance use due to family rejection and social marginalization. Older LGBTQ+ adults frequently experience isolation and difficulty finding inclusive healthcare options (Sileo et al., 2022). Nurses play a crucial role in addressing these disparities by fostering culturally competent, affirming, and inclusive care environments that recognize the unique healthcare needs of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Slide 4: Healthcare Disparities Affecting the LGBTQ+ Population

LGBTQ+ individuals often encounter healthcare disparities due to social stigma, discrimination, and inadequate access to appropriate medical services. Many in the LGBTQ+ community face barriers in accessing care, which can lead to delays in treatment and increased risks of untreated conditions. Preventive screenings, vaccinations, and chronic disease management are often overlooked, resulting in more severe health complications. The lack of culturally competent healthcare providers, along with societal rejection, can discourage LGBTQ+ individuals from seeking care, leading to poor health outcomes (Lampe et al., 2023).

LGBTQ+ individuals are at higher risk for developing chronic illnesses, mental health disorders, and substance use problems due to the stress of discrimination and marginalization. Mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, are prevalent among transgender and non-binary individuals, who often face a lack of gender-affirming care. Substance use disorders are common, yet treatment options remain limited, especially for LGBTQ+ persons of color. Furthermore, healthcare access is hindered by financial barriers, lack of insurance coverage for gender-affirming treatments, and the absence of inclusive policies. Addressing these disparities requires a more inclusive, culturally competent healthcare system that meets the specific needs of the LGBTQ+ population (Lampe et al., 2023).

Slide 5: Social Determinants of Health and Their Impact on the Population

Several social determinants impact the health outcomes among LGBTQ+ individuals, block their access to healthcare services, and create wellness imbalances. The health and life quality of LGBTQ+ communities improves best when their specific challenges, including discrimination experiences alongside unsupportive healthcare services and social exclusions, receive focused attention.  The LGBTQ+ population experiences major changes in their economic situation as a primary social factor.

The workforce discriminates against people and pays them differently, and security becomes a challenge for trans and non-binary people who must battle specific job market obstacles (Martínez et al., 2021). The inability to access reasonable healthcare and housing enhances the obstacles faced by this community. Lack of financial stability makes it difficult for LGBTQ+ people to receive important healthcare services such as gender-affirming care and mental health support, which decreases their lifespan and general health condition.  

Members of the LGBTQ+ population encounter unsafe living conditions most severely in areas where discrimination rates remain high. The combination of difficult-to-reach public settings along with unsafe housing facilities and unavailable LGBTQ+ accredited health services creates adverse health results for LGBTQ+ communities. The lack of safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and elderly individuals leads to increased vulnerability to mental health disorders, substance abuse, and physical harm. The combination of brutal environmental elements, including violent situations and unclean surroundings, leads to long-lasting stress, which determines poor mental and physical well-being.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community experience heightened sensitivity to social pains that include childhood trauma alongside discrimination and rejection by family. The LGBTQ+ population faces adverse childhood experiences because sexual orientation or gender identity rejection and abuse and neglect negatively impact their lives. The mental health problems of depression, anxiety, and PTSD occur more frequently after such adverse experiences. The stigma toward LGBTQ+ identities affecting transgender and non-binary individuals causes both substance usage problems and recovery barriers (DiGuiseppi et al., 2022).  

The LGBTQ+ population encounters obstacles when seeking healthcare services and other assistance because current policies do not attend to their particular needs adequately. Inadequate policies that neglect LGBTQ+ healthcare needs, together with insufficient gender-affirming care and provider lack of knowledge about LGBTQ+ matters, create barriers for patients to access needed medical assistance. The absence of proper policies leads to more obstacles in health care, which produces unfavorable health results throughout the LGBTQ+ community (Clark et al., 2023).

Slide 6: Approaches to Providing Culturally Competent Nursing Care

Healthcare professionals must show cultural competence while practicing trauma-sensitive care to provide successful medical services to LGBTQ+ patients. The nursing practice needs to build trauma-sensitive connections with LGBTQ+ patients since these individuals routinely face discrimination and stigmatization or experience violence stemming from their sexual orientation or gender identity (Bass & Nagy, 2023). Patients tend to pursue healthcare and follow medical recommendations when they build trust with providers who deliver respectful, non-judgmental medical care. Healthcare providers must deliver personal care through emotional awareness as they understand individual patient backgrounds and stay free from value-based criticism.

LGBTQ+ persons accept treatment more easily when healthcare professionals present services that welcome and validate their experiences. Healthcare providers need to implement harm reduction techniques because they help tackle substance use disorders among LGBTQ+ members who demonstrate higher rates of drug abuse. Medical programs that combine harm-reduction services and gender-affirming healthcare create improved health results together with lowered risks for these patients. Mobile clinics with outreach services deliver necessary healthcare to LGBTQ+ populations who live in underserved, stigmatized areas (Bass & Nagy, 2023).

Slide 7: Effective Communication Strategies in Healthcare Delivery

The active exchange of information proves essential when healthcare seeks to connect with LGBTQ+ patients. The distinctive healthcare experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals demand sensitivity through inclusive language because many patients have gone through traumatic incidents. Nurses’ Communication techniques should include empathy and non-discriminative vocabulary through a simple language style that avoids technical jargon. A nurse who expresses authentic care and supports patient needs helps establish confidence between healthcare provider and patient, leading to greater patient involvement in wellness care. LGBTQ+ people can better control their healthcare through visual, verbal, or hands-on health information as well as demonstrations, which will help them gain better health understanding (Roman, 2023).

Slide 8: Case Study: Implementing Culturally Competent Nursing Care

Knowledge about health requirements for LGBTQ+ individuals remains essential for healthcare administrators. Yu et al. (2023), evaluated LGBTQ+ patient perceptions between specialized health services, including LGBTQ+-inclusive clinics and standard General Practitioner (GP) medical practices. Patients were awarded higher assessments of access and quality care combined with trust in services when they sought healthcare support from LGBTQ+-targeted mobile teams and specialist providers compared to traditional general practice settings.

Patients who identify as LGBTQ+ specified that healthcare staff who demonstrated non-judgment and showed respect were the most essential elements of their care. Clinic visitors from standard GP practices mentioned previously dealing with discrimination and negative judgment. The delivery of effective healthcare to LGBTQ+ patients depended on staff attitudes combined with increased accessibility and patient-centered care services. A trauma-informed and inclusive method of care stands essential to build trust and deliver effective medical services to LGBTQ+ populations (Yu et al., 2023).

Slide 9: Resources for Healthcare Support for the LGBTQ+ Population

Several resources exist to handle healthcare necessities affecting the LGBTQ+ community. The LGBTQ+ population requires both accessible health services and inclusive medical care systems to fulfill their specific medical requirements. The National LGBT Health Education Center delivers medical education with resources and advocacy to build better healthcare services for the LGBTQ+ population (National LGBT Health Education Center, n.d.). LGBTQ+-friendly community health clinics, along with medical care entry points deliver preventive medical services together with mental health support and persistent disease management to their patients. These clinics maintain a fundamental function by delivering safe and accepting healthcare services to the community.

The organization needs mental health programs and substance abuse services as fundamental priorities. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) enhances LGBTQ+ healthcare by supporting peer support services combined with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs (SAMHSA, 2025).  The Trevor Project operates mental health crisis intervention platforms that serve LGBTQ+ young individuals. The Affordable Care Act, together with Medicaid and other government programs, protects LGBTQ+ people from discrimination when seeking necessary healthcare services through its nondiscrimination provisions. The established resources create a basis to resolve health differences while ensuring better healthcare access and sustained health benefits for LGBTQ+ communities.

Slide 10: Nurses’ Role in Advocacy and Shaping Healthcare Policy

Nurses are crucial advocates for LGBTQ+ individuals because they work to implement policies that provide quality healthcare at affordable prices to the community. The advocacy efforts of nurses enable them to achieve healthcare reforms that specifically focus on underserved LGBTQ+ communities while decreasing stigma and creating equal healthcare delivery systems. Nurses who work together with social workers and community organizations enable patients to find access to vital resources, including mental health services and social support networks. Care professionals who work with patients can use their clinical abilities to support policy changes that minimize health inequality and enhance medical services for LGBTQ+ persons (Yu et al., 2023).

Slide 11: Conclusion

In conclusion, caring for the LGBTQ+ population requires a commitment to cultural competence, empathy, and understanding. By recognizing the unique healthcare challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, healthcare professionals, especially nurses, can provide better care through inclusive practices, trauma-informed approaches, and advocacy for policy change. Building trust, addressing healthcare disparities, and offering accessible resources are essential to improving health outcomes for this community. Nurses are pivotal in creating a more equitable healthcare environment for LGBTQ+ individuals.

References

Bass, B., & Nagy, H. (2023). Cultural competence in the care of LGBTQ patients. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563176/ 

Clark, K. D., Lunn, M. R., Bosse, J. D., Sevelius, J., Rose, C. D., Weiss, S. J., Lubensky, M. E., Maliver, J. O., & Flentje, A. (2023). Societal stigma and mistreatment in healthcare among gender minority people: a cross-sectional study. International Journal for Equity in Health, 22(1), 162. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-023-01975-7 

Capella FPX 4015 Assessment 4

DiGuiseppi, G., Semborski, S., Rhoades, H., Goldbach, J., & Henwood, B. F. (2022). Perceived safety in community and service settings among young adults experiencing homelessness: Differences by sexual and gender identity. American Journal of Community Psychology, 70(3-4), 340–351. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12606 

Lampe, N. M., Barbee, H., Tran, N. M., Bastow, S., & McKay, T. (2023). Health disparities among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer older adults: A structural competency approach. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 98(1), 39–55. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150231171838 

Martínez, J. M., Ortega, C. S., Lorente, M. M. S., Palanca, E. M. S., Martínez, P. G., & López, M. I. M. (2021). Health inequities in LGBT people and nursing interventions to reduce them: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(22), 11801. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182211801 

Roman, C. (2023, November 22). The power of inclusive language in LGBTQ+ mental health practices. OutCare. https://www.outcarehealth.org/the-power-of-inclusive-language-in-lgbtq-mental-health-practices/ 

SAMHSA. (2025). SAMHSA publications and digital products. Samhsa.gov. https://library.samhsa.gov/?f%5B0%5D=audience%3A854&f%5B2%5D=professional_and_research_topics%3A1018&f%5B3%5D=professional_and_research_topics%3A1026&f%5B4%5D=professional_and_research_topics%3A1029&f%5B5%5D=professional_and_research_topics%3A1041&page=4 

Sileo, K. M., Baldwin, A., Huynh, T. A., Olfers, A., Woo, J., Greene, S. L., Casillas, G. L., & Taylor, B. S. (2022). Assessing LGBTQ+ stigma among healthcare professionals: An application of the health stigma and discrimination framework in a qualitative, community-based participatory research study. Journal of Health Psychology, 27(9), 2181–2196. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591053211027652 

The National LGBT Health Education Center. (n.d.). Home» LGBTQIA+ health education center. LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/

Capella FPX 4015 Assessment 4

 

Yu, H., Flores, D., Bonett, S., & Bauermeister, J. A. (2023). LGBTQ + cultural competency training for health professionals: A systematic review. BioMed Central Medical Education, 23(1), 558. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04373-3