Improving Care for LGBTQ+ Families: A Competency Bundle

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Health Equity
• Medical Education

Background:

• Lack of LGBTQ+ cultural competence among healthcare providers contributes to discrimination and health disparities.
• Provider bias, both conscious and unconscious, negatively impacts care for LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Substandard care and oppression are risks for the LGBTQ+ community due to provider knowledge gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To improve cultural competence in healthcare providers serving LGBTQ+ patients.
• To implement an evidence-based LGBTQ+ competency bundle (CB) in Labor and Delivery and Mother-Baby Units.
• To address discrimination and barriers to optimal health for the LGBTQ+ population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an evidence-based LGBTQ+ competency bundle (CB).
• Administered the Ally Identity Measure (AIM) survey for cultural competency assessment.
• Included provider training, electronic health record (EHR) integration of SOGI questions, and a resource bundle.

Main Results:

• AIM scores indicated an overall increase in healthcare providers' knowledge and preparedness to support LGBTQ+ patients and families.
• Significant improvements were observed in "Knowledge and Skill," followed by "Openness and Support," and "Oppression Awareness."
• The competency bundle interventions successfully increased provider understanding of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Conclusions:

• The evidence-based LGBTQ+ competency bundle effectively enhanced healthcare provider knowledge and understanding.
• Implementation led to a reduction in perceived bias among healthcare providers towards LGBTQ+ individuals.
• The initiative supports improved, equitable care for LGBTQ+ patients in maternity settings.