Problem Statement:Is there a difference between colorectal cancer screenings in Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender men (GBM) and non-GBM male patients. With the rising health burden of anal cancer, experts have advocated anal cancer screening programs for high‐risk populations, such asGBMmen. However, little is known about the impact of anal cancer screening programs on participants' quality of life and psychosocial well‐being(Russo, S.,et al., 2018). This study seeks to determine if GBM male patients are receiving cancer screenings and treatment at the same rate as heterosexual males. What factors contribute to barriers in care as it relates to GBMpatients and health screenings.Despite being an underserved population, few studies have explored healthcare concerns and needs of theGBM population in regard to cancer.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify if there is a disparity in colorectal screenings between GBMmales and heterosexual males.Historically members of the GBMcommunity have reported not undergoing annual screenings as well as annual and follow-up care for fear of judgement by providers and staff members in both inpatient and outpatient settings.GBM people experience multiple barriers to quality and timely healthcare across the lifespan. First, they have lower rates of health insurance coverage(Institute of Medicine, 2015). Despite huge gains in coverage since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act went into effect,GBM people remain twice as likely to be uninsured compared with their non-GBM peers(Gates G.J., 2011).In addition, fewer LGBTQ people have a regular healthcare provider than their heterosexual counterparts(National LGBT Cancer Network Barriers to Health Care,2016).
Potential Significance:Findings will help eliminate disparities in the LGBTQ community. The LGBTQ community has made great strides in ensuring equality and acceptance. In 2015 members of this community were afforded the opportunity to marry in all 50 states without discrimination. Although significant advances in equality have been made there arestill threads of discrimination and homophobia sown into the culture of America. These wounds of discrimination and inadequate treatment affect the rates in which members of the LGBTQ community seek medical care.
Research Questions: Is there is a disparity in colorectal screenings between Gay, bisexual, and transgender males (GBTM) and heterosexual males.
Ho1- Based on current findings there is no statistical evidence supporting provider discrimination and lack of cultural competency towards male colorectal patients who identify as Gay, Bisexual or Transgender males, in comparison to their heterosexual counterparts.
Ho2-Based on current findings there is statistical evidence supporting provider discrimination and lack of cultural competency towards male colorectal patients who identify as Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender, in comparison to their heterosexual counterparts.
Ho1- Are Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender males undergoing cancer screenings at the same rate as heterosexual males based on EMR findings.
Ho2- Based on data collected from Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender males are not undergoing cancer screenings at the same rate as heterosexual males.
Theories or Conceptual Frameworks:The framework that will be used for this study is Queer Theory. Queer Theory is rooted in exploring disparities in women and those who identify as queer. Queer Theory seeks to identify what is normal, and how society perceives and interacts with populations who are identified as socially normal. It goes on to explore the psychological impacts of individual attempting to fit into society’s operational definition of normal.
Method on Inquiry:This data will seek to prove if men who identify as GBT are undergoing cancer screenings and follow-up care at the same rate as heterosexual men. This will be a quantitative study and data will be collected from Electronic Medical Records.
Data collection: Data will be obtained utilizingElectronic Medical Records. EMR’s are a nonbiased method of collecting patient data and contributing to advances in the patient experience. EMR data allows health administrators the opportunity to explore data in a qualitative measure.
Data Analysis Method:Data analysis will be completed utilizing quantitative data collected from Electronic Medical Records.
Implications for positive social change: As a health administrator it is important to ensure that all patient populations feel respected and supported by providers. Respect is at the heart of cultural competence-patients who feel their health care providers respect their beliefs, customs, values, language, and traditions are more likely to communicate freely and honestly, which can, in turn, reduce disparities in health care and improve patient outcomes (www.medcomrn.com). U.S. adults estimate that nearly one in four Americans (23.6%) are gay or lesbian. This is a substantial number of the census who at some point will require medical treatment in the form of screenings, annual physicals, and or various forms of care. As a health administrator, I want to ensure that my organization is their preferred entity for care; by ensuring that employees are equipped to handle issues which are unique to the LGBTQ community.
References
Gates G.J. How Many People Are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender? The Williams
Institute, Los Angeles School of Law, Univerity of California; Los Angeles, CA, USA: 2011.
Institute of Medicine . Collecting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data in Electronic
Health Records: Workshop Summary. National Academies Press; Washington, DC, USA: 2013.
National LGBT Cancer Network Barriers to Health Care. [(accessed on 16 June
2016)];2013 Available online: http://www.cancer-network.org/cancer_information/cancer_and_the_lgbt_community/barriers_to_lgbt_healthcare.php.
Russo, S., Mccaffery, K., Ellard, J., Poynten, M., Prestage, G., Templeton, D. J., …
Grulich, A. E. (2018). Experience and psychological impact of anal cancer screening in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men: a qualitative study. Psycho-Oncology, 27(1), 125–131. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1002/pon.4480.
