Conectar
Understandings of sexuality and gender diversity are ever-developing, and the visibility of their lives and the needs of communities of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) people are more in focus than ever before.
While terminology evolves, what is most important is for nurses to acknowledge that there is a diversity of identities and experiences beyond heterosexual and cisgender and that these can have an impact on health outcomes and healthcare experiences. Rather than list out the various terms associated with sexual and gender minority identities, it might be useful for the reader to review a glossary such as that produced by UK LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall.
Embracing and respecting sexuality and gender diversity is a fundamental process in ensuring that the care given by nurses is both person-centred and respectful of the innate human dignity acknowledged in the codes of numerous international and national...
To map existing sexual and gender minority (SGM) health research in Ireland, identify gaps in literature and outline priorities for future research and healthcare. SGM is an umbrella term that includes people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or intersex and is sometimes abbreviated as LGBTQI+.
A scoping review of peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2024.
The review followed Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines and PRISMA-ScR framework for scoping reviews. Articles were identified through systematic database searches and screened independently by reviewers.
PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Embase were searched for articles published between January 2014 and April 2024. Sixty studies met inclusion criteria.
The review highlighted a disproportionate focus on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM), particularly regarding HIV and sexual health. Mental health research revealed high levels of anxiety, depression and suicidality, largely attributed to minority stress and systemic discrimination. Transgender health studies documented barriers to accessing gender-affirming care and mental health services. Few studies explored experiences of sexual minority women, older SGM individuals or intersex people. Intersectional perspectives on race, disability and socio-economic status were notably absent.
SGM health research in Ireland reflects significant progress in documenting disparities in mental and sexual health. However, there is a lack of representation for some groups. There is also limited attention to intersectionality. Systematic gaps in sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data impede targeted policymaking and service delivery.
Findings underscore the need for inclusive, culturally competent healthcare services, better integration of SGM health topics into nursing education, and community-centred interventions. Addressing structural barriers and improving provider competence can enhance equitable healthcare access for SGM populations.
This review addresses the fragmented state of SGM health research in Ireland, highlighting gaps in representation and systemic issues.
Authorship includes individuals from various sexual and gender minority communities.
There are estimated to be 3.4 million patients in the UK living after a diagnosis of cancer. We know very little about their quality of life or healthcare usage. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are tools which help to translate a patient’s quality of life into measurable categories, but how to do this at scale remains underexplored. The study employs a randomised design to assess different engagement strategies for optimising participation, data linkage and questionnaire completion in Northwest London and then nationally, with appropriate research approvals.
We have designed and implemented an online, patient-completed, randomised observational trial. We will pilot it in Northwest London before national roll-out, using initially the General Practice (GP) record of a cancer diagnosis and then exploring the use of social media. The primary objective is to explore the feasibility of recruiting participants via self-identification or contact from the primary care research network and obtaining consent to link participants’ PROMs responses to their cancer registry records. Data collection occurs through a secure platform, with participants directly responsible for data entry. There is no formal target sample size because this is a feasibility study, and we want to explore how many patients we can recruit. Analyses will be conducted using descriptive statistics, repeated measures multilevel modelling and machine learning techniques. If a substantial difference in responses between randomisation arms is detected, ineffective strategies will be removed. If no clear difference is observed, recruitment will continue with periodic reviews based on response rates and data completeness.
The Study Coordination Centre has obtained approval from the London—Surrey Research Ethics Committee and Health Research Authority. We will publish and disseminate the results in local, national and international meetings, in peer-reviewed journals, on social media and on websites.
It has been registered under ‘Investigating Digital Outcomes for Cancer Survivors in the Community’ (NCT06095024).
NCT06095024: Investigating Digital Outcomes for Cancer Survivors in the Community.
To explore experiences of LGBT+ individuals in accessing and receiving healthcare in Ireland, and to identify opportunities for more inclusive and equitable healthcare delivery.
A descriptive qualitative study using asynchronous online focus groups.
Asynchronous online focus groups were conducted using the MURAL collaborative platform over a three-week period in 2023. Participants (n = 43) self-selected into one of three focus groups based on gender and sexual identity. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to generate key themes.
Four themes were identified: (1) Culturally aware healthcare professionals; (2) Access and information; (3) Specialist versus universal services; and (4) Mental health support. Participants reported frequent experiences of misgendering, heteronormative assumptions, and provider inexperience. Geographic inequities, unclear referral pathways, and a lack of centralised, inclusive information were also key barriers. While specialist services were valued, participants advocated for a dual approach that integrates LGBT+ competence into all healthcare settings.
Despite legal and social progress, LGBT+ individuals in Ireland continue to encounter significant barriers to equitable healthcare. The findings highlight a need for improved cultural competence, better access to inclusive services, and systemic reform.
Healthcare providers must receive comprehensive training in LGBT+ health to ensure respectful, appropriate, and inclusive care. Enhanced visibility of inclusive providers and improved service pathways are needed to address current inequities, particularly in mental health and gender-affirming care.
This study identifies key gaps in provider competence, service accessibility, and mental health provision. Findings will inform healthcare education, policy development, and service design to improve experiences and outcomes for LGBT+ individuals in both urban and rural contexts.
This study adhered to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR).
No patient or public contribution was involved.
This study aimed to co-design a model of brilliant care for older people that provides clear, actionable principles to guide how brilliant care for older people can be realised.
As the demand for and international importance of care for older people grows, so too does the negative discourse about care for older people. This ongoing focus on deficiencies can have implications for patients, carers, clinicians, health services, and policymakers, overshadowing opportunities for innovation and positive change.
Experience-based co-design informed this study, grounded in the lived experiences of key stakeholders.
Three scaffolded co-design workshops were facilitated, involving lived experience experts, managers, professionals, clinicians, and an academic (n= 13). The data collected during these workshops were analysed using a qualitative descriptive method and documented according to COREQ guidelines to optimise rigour and transparency.
The participants co-designed a model of brilliant care for older people, comprising principles to promote connection and innovation. To promote connection, the model includes protecting staff member time to deliver meaningful care and demonstrating that everyone matters. To promote innovation, it encourages role flexibility, curiosity, small improvements, and the recognition of brilliant practices.
This article presents a co-designed model of brilliant care for older people, incorporating principles of connection and innovation that can be enacted through simple, resource-efficient practices.
For those who manage and deliver care for older people, the model encompasses simple, accessible, and cost-effective principles to: positively deviate from norms within the sector, offering care to older people; and to deliver brilliant care for older people. Furthermore, given that the model was co-designed with lived experience experts, managers, professionals, and clinicians, its principles are imbued with their experiential insights, which served to bring particular priorities to the fore.
The co-designers, who included lived experience experts, were invited to participate in workshops to co-design a model of brilliant care for older people, during which they discussed and critiqued the findings constructed from the data and co-designed the model.
FreshRSS 