Disclosure in lesbian, gay and bisexual cancer care: towards a salutogenic healthcare environment

There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.

Abstract

Background

The literature on sexual orientation disclosure is arguably one of the most developed in the field of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people in healthcare in English speaking countries however, relatively little research has been conducted into disclosure in cancer care. Studies have been mainly undertaken in primary care where distinct circumstances pertain and where the benefits of disclosure include obtaining appropriate health information, treatment advice and avoiding misdiagnosis.

Methods

We conducted an in-depth qualitative study primarily recruiting patients through oncology care in hospital settings and through LGB community cancer support groups. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 30 LGB patients with different cancer types.

Results

Data were analysed using thematic analysis and interpreted and interrogated through salutogenesis theory which offers a useful lens through which to consider the health promoting effects of sexual orientation disclosure in cancer care. We present three themes as part of the analysis: Authenticity as a driver for disclosure in cancer care, Partners as a (potential) salutogenic resource and Creating safe, healing environments conducive to disclosure. The findings are reported and discussed in relation to three inter-related concepts from current salutogenesis theorising including a sense of coherence, generalised resistance resources and healing environments which can facilitate sexual orientation disclosure.

Conclusion

Our findings enable a more nuanced approach to understanding disclosure in this context. This study contributes to the literature through its articulation of the salutogenic potential of disclosure (if responded to appropriately) for LGB patients as individuals, in relationship to their partners or carers and the role of creating a visible healing-oriented optimal environment to promote quality of life and recovery.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-5895-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Related collections

Most cited references 32

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: not found

Patterns and Predictors of Disclosure of Sexual Orientation to Healthcare Providers among Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals.

Laura E Durso, Ilan Meyer (2013)

The present study sought to identify patterns and predictors of disclosure of sexual orientation to healthcare providers among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults.

0 comments Cited 88 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: not found

The research priorities of patients attending UK cancer treatment centres: findings from a modified nominal group study

J Antony Corner, D. Wright, Pippa J Hopkinson … (2007)

Members of the public are increasingly consulted over health care and research priorities. Patient involvement in determining cancer research priorities, however, has remained underdeveloped. This paper presents the findings of the first consultation to be conducted with UK cancer patients concerning research priorities. The study adopted a participatory approach using a collaborative model that sought joint ownership of the study with people affected by cancer. An exploratory, qualitative approach was used. Consultation groups were the main method, combining focus group and nominal group techniques. Seventeen groups were held with a total of 105 patients broadly representative of the UK cancer population. Fifteen areas for research were identified. Top priority areas included the impact cancer has on life, how to live with cancer and related support issues; risk factors and causes of cancer; early detection and prevention. Although biological and treatment related aspects of science were identified as important, patients rated the management of practical, social and emotional issues as a higher priority. There is a mismatch between the research priorities identified by participants and the current UK research portfolio. Current research activity should be broadened to reflect the priorities of people affected by the disease.

0 comments Cited 52 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

Record: found
Abstract: found
Article: not found

Sexual orientation disclosure in health care: a systematic review

Hannah Brooks, Carrie D Llewellyn, Tom Nadarzynski … (2018)

Background Significant health disparities between sexual minority individuals (that is, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender [LGBT]) and heterosexual individuals have been demonstrated. Aim To understand the barriers and facilitators to sexual orientation (SO) disclosure experienced by LGBT adults in healthcare settings. Design and setting Mixed methods systematic review, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods papers following PRISMA guidelines. Method Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and a qualitative synthesis was performed. Studies were included if their participants were aged ≥18 years who either identified as LGBT, had a same-sex sexual relationship, or were attracted to a member of the same sex. Results The review included 31 studies representing 2442 participants. Four overarching themes were identified as barriers or facilitators to SO disclosure: the moment of disclosure, the expected outcome of disclosure, the healthcare professional, and the environment or setting of disclosure. The most prominent themes were the perceived relevance of SO to care, the communication skills and language used by healthcare professionals, and the fear of poor treatment or reaction to disclosure. Conclusion The facilitators and barriers to SO disclosure by LGBT individuals are widespread but most were modifiable and could therefore be targeted to improve healthcare professionals’ awareness of their patients’ SO. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the broad range of factors that influence SO disclosure and the potential disadvantageous effects of non-disclosure on care. The environment in which patients are seen should be welcoming of different SOs as well as ensuring that healthcare professionals’ communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, are accepting and inclusive.

0 comments Cited 51 times – based on 0 reviews      Review now

Bookmark

All references

Author and article information

Contributors

Julie Fish:

ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5308-9174

+44 (0) 116 257 7750 , jfish@dmu.ac.uk

Iain Williamson: 44+ (0) 116 207 8393 , iwilliamson@dmu.ac.uk

Jayne Brown: jbrown@dmu.ac.uk

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): BMC Cancer

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): BMC Cancer

Title: BMC Cancer

Publisher: BioMed Central (London )

ISSN (Electronic): 1471-2407

Publication date (Electronic): 10 July 2019

Publication date PMC-release: 10 July 2019

Publication date Collection: 2019

Volume: 19

Electronic Location Identifier: 678

Affiliations

[1 ]ISNI 0000 0001 2153 2936, GRID grid.48815.30, Centre for LGBTQ Research, , De Montfort University, The Gateway, ; Leicester, LE1 9BH UK

[2 ]ISNI 0000 0001 2153 2936, GRID grid.48815.30, Division of Psychology, , De Montfort University, ; Leicester, LE1 9BH UK

[3 ]ISNI 0000 0001 2153 2936, GRID grid.48815.30, Leicester Academy for the Study of Ageing (LASA) The Leicester School of Nursing and Midwifery, , De Montfort University, The Gateway, ; Leicester, LE1 9BH UK

Author information

Julie Fish http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5308-9174

Article

Publisher ID: 5895

DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5895-7

PMC ID: 6617610

PubMed ID: 31291940

SO-VID: ee3183ec-5635-4e74-8a49-0a48cdcd4cbb

License:

Open AccessThis article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver ( http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.

History

Date received : 30 November 2018

Date accepted : 30 June 2019

Funding

Funded by: FundRef http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100011715, Macmillan Cancer Support;

Award ID: Inclusion and diversity programme

Award Recipient : Julie Fish

Funded by: FundRef http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000601, De Montfort University;

Award ID: n/a

Award Recipient : Julie Fish

Custom metadata

ScienceOpen disciplines: Oncology & Radiotherapy

Keywords: disclosure,generalised resistance resources: healing environments,salutogenesis,sense of coherence,sexual orientation,qualitative methods

Data availability:

ScienceOpen disciplines: Oncology & Radiotherapy

Keywords: disclosure, generalised resistance resources: healing environments, salutogenesis, sense of coherence, sexual orientation, qualitative methods

Disclosure in lesbian, gay and bisexual cancer care: towards a salutogenic healthcare environment

Read this article at

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Electronic supplementary material

Related collections

Karger: Oncology

Most cited references 32

Patterns and Predictors of Disclosure of Sexual Orientation to Healthcare Providers among Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals.

The research priorities of patients attending UK cancer treatment centres: findings from a modified nominal group study

Sexual orientation disclosure in health care: a systematic review

Author and article information

Contributors

Journal

Affiliations

Author information

Article

History

Funding

Categories

Custom metadata

Comments

Comment on this article

Similar content 241

Cited by 13

Most referenced authors 438