Health equity/bias

Personal Self-Assessment of Anti-Bias Behavior
Directions: Using the rating scale of NEVER to ALWAYS, assess yourself for each item by placing an “X” on the appropriate place along the continuum. When completed, review your responses and identify areas for growth.
1.I educate myself about the culture and experiences of other racial, religious, ethnic and socioeconomic groups by reading and attending classes, workshops, cultural events, etc.
Never ———————————————————————————————- Always

2.I spend time reflecting on my own upbringing and childhood to better understand my own biases and the ways I may have internalized the prejudicial messages I received.
Never ———————————————————————————————- Always

3.I look at my own attitudes and behaviors as an adult to determine the ways they may be contributing to or combating prejudice in society.
Never ———————————————————————————————- Always

4.I evaluate my use of language to avoid terms or phrases that may be degrading or hurtful to other groups.
Never ———————————————————————————————- Always

5.I avoid stereotyping and generalizing other people based on their group identity.
Never ——————————————————————————————— Always

6.I value cultural differences and avoid statements such as “I never think of you as______________,” which discredits differences.
Never ——————————————————————————————— Always

7.I am comfortable discussing issues of racism, anti-Semitism and other forms of prejudice with others.
Never ———————————————————————————————- Always

8.I am open to other people’s feedback about ways in which my behavior may be culturally insensitive or offensive to others.
Never ———————————————————————————————- Always

9.I give equal attention to other people regardless of race, religion, gender, socioeconomic class or other difference.
Never ———————————————————————————————- Always

10.The value of diversity is reflected in my work, which includes a wide range of racial, religious, ethnic and socioeconomic groups, even when these groups are not personally represented in my community.
Never ———————————————————————————————- Always

11.I work to increase my awareness of biased content in social media.
Never ———————————————————————————————- Always

12.When other people use biased language and behavior, I feel comfortable speaking up, asking them to refrain and stating my reasons.
Never ———————————————————————————————- Always

Areas for growth:
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1.0
ANCC CONTACT HOUR

Increasing cultural competence with LGBTQ patients

BY LIZ MARGOLIES, LCSW, AND CARLTON G. BROWN, PhD, RN, AOCN, NEA-BC, FAAN

Abstract: Many nurses practicing today lack basic education about LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) patient care. How can they better prepare to care for this population? This article provides insight on LGBTQ people, their health risks and disparities, and how nurses can work with LGBTQ patients to improve outcomes.

Keywords: bisexual, gay, gender identity, gender minorities, lesbian, LGBTQ, queer, sexual minorities, sexual orientation, transgender

GD, a 63-year-old White gay male recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, was admitted to the hospital for a radi- cal prostatectomy. Angie is the RN working on the surgical unit where GD is recovering from surgery. Although she has worked extensively with men following prostate surgery, she worries because she has little experience caring for a gay man undergoing the same surgery. GD and his husband had many questions for Angie about the impact of the surgery on their sexual relationship. Angie appreciated their openness about their relationship and concern but was unprepared to answer any of their questions.

Key terms and concepts LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) is an umbrella term for two distinct facets of iden- tity: sexual orientation and gender identity. Everyone has a sexual orien- tation; lesbian and gay people are mostly attracted to people of the same sex, romantically and sexually, while heterosexuals are mostly at- tracted to people of the opposite sex. People who identify as bisexual (or pansexual) are capable of attractions to people of all genders. It is impor- tant to keep in mind that sexual ori- entation is an identity label and may not correspond to the full range of a person’s sexual behavior.
Everyone also has a gender identity; transgender people identify as a sex

34 l Nursing2019 l Volume 49, Number 6 www.Nursing2019.com

www.Nursing2019.com June l Nursing2019 l 35