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- Resource Type: Text
- Status: Published
Description
This study investigates how the patient-provider relationship between lesbian, gay, and bisexual women and their healthcare providers influences their access to, utilization of, and experiences within healthcare environments. Nineteen participants, ages 18 to 34, were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling. Interviews were conducted inquiring about their health history and their experiences within the healthcare system in the context of their sexual orientation. The data collected from these interviews was used to create an analysis of the healthcare experiences of those who identify as queer. Although the original intention of the project was to chronicle the experiences of LGB women specifically, there were four non-binary gender respondents who contributed interviews. In an effort to not privilege any orientation over another, the respondents were collectively referred to as queer, given the inclusive and an encompassing nature of the term. The general conclusion of this study is that respondents most often experienced heterosexism rather than outright homophobia when accessing healthcare. If heterosexism was present within the healthcare setting, it made respondents feel uncomfortable with their providers and less likely to inform them of their sexuality even if it was medically relevant to their health outcomes. Gender, race, and,socioeconomic differences also had an effect on the patient-provider relationship. Non-binary respondents acknowledged the need for inclusion of more gender options outside of male or female on the reporting forms often seen in medical offices. By doing so, medical professionals are acknowledging their awareness and knowledge of people outside of the binary gender system, thus improving the experience of these patients. While race and socioeconomic status were less relevant to the context of this study, it was found that these factors have an affect on the patient-provider relationship. There are many suggestions for providers to improve the experiences of queer patients within the healthcare setting. This includes nonverbal indications of acknowledgement and acceptance, such as signs in the office that indicate it to be a queer friendly space. This will help in eliminating the fear and miscommunication that can often happen when a queer patient sees a practitioner for the first time. In addition, better education on medically relevant topics to queer patients, is necessary in order to eliminate disparities in health outcomes. This is particularly evident in trans health, where specialized education is necessary in order to decrease poor health outcomes in trans patients. Future directions of this study necessitate a closer look on how race and socioeconomic status have an effect on a queer patient's relationship with their provider.
ContributorsRajan, Sindhu (Co-author) / Bradley, Arianna (Co-author) / Larson, Michelle (Co-author) / Alvarado, Aimee (Co-author) / Ingram-Waters, Mary (Thesis director) / Arnold, Michelle (Committee member) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics (Contributor) / College of Public Service and Community Solutions (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor) / School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
The introductory section of my thesis will draw heavily from sources written by experts in the field of creative thinking. First, I will introduce the ideas proposed by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his groundbreaking publications, Flow and Finding Flow. Here, I will discuss the "what" and "why" elements of my thesis, more specifically explaining why creativity is so important and how it could serve to improve the lives of those feeling emotionally or intellectually stifled by their stays in long-term healthcare facilities. Next I will use the steps outlined in Keith Sawyer's Zig Zag to explain the different elements that are involved in achieving creativity, "flow," and fulfillment. This will begin to touch on the issue of "how" from a theoretical perspective. For the latter half of my thesis, I draw from case studies, research papers, and design solutions from architects, designers, and manufacturers alike to begin imagining what designing a creatively conducive long-term care facility would entail, along with providing some examples of how these spaces might look, feel, and function. This portion is not meant to be a comprehensive design solution, but is simply meant to provide a framework and foundation for healthcare designers interested in incorporating creative spaces into their designs. The conclusion of this thesis is that creatively conducive spaces would be a beneficial contribution to the health care environment, particularly in settings that provide long-term care for individuals with limited capacity to leave the facility. These creative spaces will be guided by three key themes: (1) taking influence from children's health care facilities, which are more focused on the formative experiences of the user, (2) utilizing technology to provide opportunity for creative inspiration, expression, and collaboration, and (3) providing patients with the means to be creatively productive, including giving patients the power to control aspects of their environment.
ContributorsHumphrey, Amanda Rose (Author) / Bernardi, Jose (Thesis director) / Neaves, Jeff (Committee member) / Pickett, Christine (Committee member) / Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts (Contributor) / The Design School (Contributor) / School of Human Evolution and Social Change (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05