Executive Summary The purpose of this study was to better understand how to improve and reveal gaps in the healthcare system for members of the LGBTQ+ community in Wichita, Kansas, as well as individuals providing services and family members of individuals in the LGBTQ+ community. Noteworthy results include the following: • • • • •
47% of respondents were unaware of LGBTQ+ friendly primary care providers. This lack of knowledge rose to 51% where OBGYN providers are concerned, and to 62% for emergency care providers. 17% of respondents reported having needed but not received mental health care by clinicians who are competent in gender transitions, and 15% reported having needed but not received mental health care in general. For 53% of the respondents, medical cost with insurance is the most experienced barrier to health care services, closely followed by 51% of respondents who noted that there is a lack of available LGBTQ+ competent providers. Additionally, 17% of participants reported that a LGBTQ+ friendly primary care physician or dental care was not accessible to them, while 14% of respondents found LGBTQ+ friendly mental health providers inaccessible. Additionally, 15% of respondents reported being unable to access surgeons who are competent in gender transition.
This is reflected in the qualitative part of this study as well. Participants in the focus groups and individual interviews identified many barriers to adequate inclusive and affirming healthcare : • • • • • •
Lack of local services/competent and affirming providers, Financial/cost/insurance factors, Structural and institutional factors, policy factors, Discrimination/safety, Time and delaying care Privilege or lack thereof, and lack of widely available and reliable information for clients and providers.
Based on our findings we recommend: • Holding regular training and information sessions with individuals at various proximities to LGBTQ+ healthcare including LGBTQ+ individuals, caregivers of LGBTQ+ individuals, and aspiring LGBTQ+ competent providers. • The creation of an up-to-date and comprehensive resource list of LGBTQ+ affirming and competent providers, achieved through outreach to local providers. • Advertisements for the Wichita LGBTQ+ Health Coalition should be distributed throughout the greater Wichita region, so that members of the LGBTQ+ community can be made aware of such resources. • Information about the Wichita LGBTQ+ Health Coalition should be distributed throughout the greater Wichita region to providers, so that LGBTQ+ affirming and competent providers can self-identify for inclusion on the resource list of providers. • For providers who wish to become LGBTQ+ affirming and competent providers, we recommend engagement with the LGBTQ+ community. • For providers who with to improve their practices in regard to the LGBTQ+ community, we suggest starting with simple things such as updating intake forms to more accurately represent gender identities. • Also mentioned by participants is the need for insurance advocates, both at insurance companies and at providers’ offices to help LGBTQ+ individuals navigate insurance coverage for LGBTQ+ specific procedures such as gender confirmation surgery.
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