Paper
Wednesday, 19 July 2006
This presentation is part of : Teaching Nurse Practitioner Students: Issues of Cultural Diversity and Health Disparities
Teaching Nurse Practitioner Students: Addressing Lesbian/Gay Issues
Laurel S. Garzon, DNSc, CPNP1, Carolyn Rutledge, PhD, CFNP1, Richardean Benjamin, PhD, MPH1, Micah Scott, MSN, RN, BSN1, Rita Klahr, RN, MSN1, and Stacey Plichta, ScD2. (1) School of Nursing, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA, (2) Nursing, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people may have difficulty in accessing quality health services. In a 1998 survey of nursing students, 40% indicated they “despised lesbian, gay and bisexual people”, “found them disgusting” and thought they should “keep their sexuality private.” A survey of New Mexico physicians indicated that up to 10% of physicians would not admit a transgendered person to medical school or refer patients to them upon completion. Gays and lesbians indicate a reluctance to seek health care with 96% of lesbians reporting anticipating situations that could be harmful if their provider knew they were lesbian.

The purpose of this standardized patient (SP) program is to train and evaluate nurse practitioner (NP) students on addressing lesbian healthcare issues.  This program focuses on the Healthy People 2010 goal, “Eliminate Health Disparities” and cultural competencies published by NONPF and AACN. Using Campinha-Bacote’s model, culturally competent providers possess cultural awareness, knowledge, skills, and desire achieved through cultural encounters.  The SP program provides NP students with the needed cultural encounters to address lesbian issues.

Cases are presented by individuals from the community trained to present clinical scenarios, assess performance, and provide feedback.  The case was developed that portrayed a lesbian woman seeking health care.  The students were blinded regarding her lifestyle.  They were given her chief complaint of chest pain.  Through the history, the students were to uncover the fact that the patient was suffering from anxiety related to issues surrounding her sexual preference.  Once the interview was completed, the SP gave the students feedback regarding their performance and sensitivity to their alternative lifestyle.  This program enables NP students to gain deeper understanding and skills in managing patients of alternative lifestyles.  Using SPs, students are provided opportunities to become culturally competent utilizing the constructs of cultural competency emphasized by Campinha-Bacote.

See more of Teaching Nurse Practitioner Students: Issues of Cultural Diversity and Health Disparities
See more of The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006)