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Journal of Palliative Care & Medicine | ISSN: 2165-7386 | Volume 8
August 27-28, 2018 | Boston, USA
4
th
International Conference on
Palliative Care, Medicine and Hospice Nursing
Addressing the unique needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered patients in palliative and hospice
care: Developing understanding and organizational cultural competence
David Free
McMaster University, Canada
T
here is a tremendous variance between and even within countries in terms of protections for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,
Transexual, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, 2-Spirited, Asexual people (LGBTTIQQ2SA). This presents challenges for healthcare
providers and health systems in the provision of equitable, patient- and family-centered care at any time in the life course. However, the
impact of these inequities is exacerbated in palliative and hospice care. As the world’s population ages, so too does the LBGTTIQQ2SA
community. There will be a greater number of aging people from this community requiring palliative and hospice care in the next
two decades. This is an unprecedented time for hospice and palliative care since most LGBTTIQQ2SA have lived the majority of
their lives openly and there are significant fears associated with having to “hide oneself ” to be safe when they are entering one of the
most vulnerable stages of their lives. There are well-documented disparities that impact access, outcomes, and utilization of, as well
as experiences with health care in this population who continue to experience homophobia, open discrimination, and stigmatization.
Understanding the unique needs of this group is essential to cultural competence, excellence, and equity in the provision of palliative
and hospice care for all.
drdavidfree@gmail.comJ Palliat Care Med 2018, Volume 8
DOI: 10.4172/2165-7386-C3-021