Gaps in nursing knowledge can predispose Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) patients to discriminative services. LGBT patients are among the largest group of the undeserved population within the nursing setting (Lim & Bernstein, 2012). The group is constantly exposed to homophobia, aversion, irrational fear and heterosexism. This heterosexism makes their experience less than ideal in health care environments compared to heterosexuals. This heterosexism also increases their risk for substance abuse and psychological distress. “ Heterosexual treatment staff members may be uninformed about LGBT issues, maybe insensitive to or antagonistic towards LGBT clients, or may falsely believe that sexual identity causes substance abuse” (Broderick
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The International Journal of Transgenderism by Coleman et al. (2011) also provides guidance for the healthcare professionals on how to assist transgender, gender conforming, and transsexual people with effective and safe pathways to maximize their self-fulfillment, psychological self, and overall health. The article demonstrates “evidence of major medical bodies not embracing the efforts to change the existing gender identify or sexual orientation” (Coleman et al., 2011, p. 167). Additionally, the article revealed that “nursing education curriculum has played a major role in the deteriorating efforts towards handing the health issues facing the LGBT community” (Coleman et al., 2011, p. 179). Lastly, the article provides guidelines that should be adopted to ensure that healthcare professionals are equipped on how to provide quality care to LGBT patients (Coleman et al., 2011). According Coleman et al. (2011), staff training on non-discrimination behaviors of the LGBT is critical in nursing practice. Therefore, the article upheld the need for knowledge, education, and trainings for health care professionals in their treatment of transgender
The International Journal of Transgenderism by Coleman et al. (2011) also provides guidance for the healthcare professionals on how to assist transgender, gender conforming, and transsexual people with effective and safe pathways to maximize their self-fulfillment, psychological self, and overall health. The article demonstrates “evidence of major medical bodies not embracing the efforts to change the existing gender identify or sexual orientation” (Coleman et al., 2011, p. 167). Additionally, the article revealed that “nursing education curriculum has played a major role in the deteriorating efforts towards handing the health issues facing the LGBT community” (Coleman et al., 2011, p. 179). Lastly, the article provides guidelines that should be adopted to ensure that healthcare professionals are equipped on how to provide quality care to LGBT patients (Coleman et al., 2011). According Coleman et al. (2011), staff training on non-discrimination behaviors of the LGBT is critical in nursing practice. Therefore, the article upheld the need for knowledge, education, and trainings for health care professionals in their treatment of transgender