(In)visibility of LGBTQIA+ people and relationships in healthcare: A scoping review.

Abstract

To identify and map research into the visibility of LGBTQIA+ people and their relationships in healthcare, with the view to inform future research and practice. Five databases were systematically searched for published and grey literature. Primary research reporting on visibility of LGBTQIA+ people in healthcare was included. Two reviewers independently screened the studies until an acceptable level of agreement was reached. A narrative synthesis was conducted and findings mapped to a taxonomy of microaggressions involving three sub-categories: microinsults, microassaults and microinvalidations. The microaggressions identified included Microinsults: 'Perception of health professionals' knowledge and comfort' and 'Disclosure'; Microassaults: 'Discrimination and stigma'; Microvalidations: 'Accessing and navigating through services', 'Encounters of assumptions and stereotypes', 'Validating identities and including relationships', and 'Reading the environment'. Despite growing societal acceptance, microaggressions still exist within healthcare. Groups within LGBTQIA+ communities have varying levels of visibility in research and healthcare based on the studies included. The limited visibility of LGBT and lack of visibility of QIA+ people and their relationships in healthcare highlight the need to include the views of all LGBTQIA+ communities in research, and to ensure health professionals and clinical services are equipped to address this (in)visibility gap.