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Health and wellbeing Healthcare and services Research

A rapid review of end-of-life needs in the LGBTQ+ community and recommendations for clinicians 

Authors

Lisa Lintott, Robert Beringer, Annie Do, Helena Daudt

Publication

2022

Abstract

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer plus (LGBTQ+) adults face challenges accessing end-of-life care. Understanding the experiences of LGBTQ+ persons within the end-of-life context is crucial in addressing their needs and supporting equity at end of life. Aim: Review recent literature documenting the experiences of LGBTQ+ adults nearing end-of-life, identifying needs, barriers to care, and translating this into clinical recommendations. Design: A rapid review design was chosen for prompt results. The process was streamlined by limiting the literature search to peer-reviewed articles, dissertations, theses, by date and language. Data collection used a predetermined set of items based on Meyer’s Minority Stress and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Models including participants’ voices, needs, and barriers. Thematic analysis of collected data was conducted and presented results in a narrative summary. Data sources: We searched six electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses A&I, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Open Access Theses and Dissertations, CINAHL, and Google Scholar) for articles published from 2016 to 2020. Results: We included and appraised for quality 33 articles. We uncovered three latent themes: systemic barriers, a lack of lived experience within the literature, and treatment of LGBTQ+ as one homogeneous group. Conclusions: The hybrid Meyer’s Minority Stress and Bronfenbrenner Ecological model elucidated how stressors and social contexts may impact LGBTQ+ adults when accessing end-of-life care. Incorporating LGBTQ+ cultural competence training into continuing education and ensuring that LGBTQ+ individuals participate in the development of end-of-life care programming may better attend to the needs of this population. 

Citation

Lintott, L., Beringer, R., Do, A., & Daudt, H. (2022). A rapid review of end-of-life needs in the LGBTQ+ community and recommendations for clinicians. Palliative Medicine, 36(4), 609–624. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163221078475 

Open Access

No