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Healthcare Worker Perceptions of LGBTQ+ Older Adults: Integrative Review

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) older adults (OAs) may require care in long-term care (LTC), assisted living, and home health settings. Healthcare workers’ (HCWs, e.g., registered nurses, social workers, certified nursing assistants, home health aides) perceptions and attitudes could influence care, health disparities, and outcomes. The aim of this integrative review was to discover what is known about HCWs’ perceptions toward LGBTQ+ OAs. Searched databases included PsycINFO, PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Quality review assessment was conducted separately by two reviewers; Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were followed. A total of 370 studies were identified; 10 studies were included in the review. Five studies were quantitative, four were qualitative, and one was a mixed methods study. Major themes included preparedness/training, responsibility of disclosure, and clinical practice. HCW’s perceptions may be associated with discriminatory care and health disparities in the LGBTQ+ OA population.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1177/10547738221147266

APA Citation

May, J. T., & Crist, J. D. (2023). Healthcare Worker Perceptions of LGBTQ+ Older Adults: Integrative Review. Clinical Nursing Research, 32(2), 256–269.https://doi.org/10.1177/10547738221147266

Rights

© The Author(s) 2023. © 2026 by SAGE Publications

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