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Italian Sexual Minority Older Adults in Healthcare Services: Identities, Discriminations, and Competencies

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Abstract

Purpose

This study explores perceptions and experiences related to healthcare utilization in a group of Italian sexual minority older adults, to understand the unique challenges faced by this population when accessing healthcare services. Older adults represent one of the subgroups exposed to the highest risk within sexual minorities with regard to physical and mental health.

Method

Data collection occurred between October 2018 and April 2019. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 23 participants over 60 years, including questions about participants’: experiences when dealing with physical/mental healthcare services; tendency to disclose sexual orientation in clinical contexts; preferences and desires when seeking care. Data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), in order to provide qualitative information on participants’ experiences.

Results

Three interconnected themes were identified: the relevance of clinician and patient’s identities in determining confidence and satisfaction; expectations and experiences of discrimination; the need for specific competencies on sexual minority concerns.

Conclusion

Access and utilization of healthcare services can be considered as a multi-faceted phenomenon which involves people’s past and current experiences, perceptions, expectations and desires. Participants’ perception of having to deal with heterosexist healthcare settings influences health behaviors and outcomes.

Policy Implications

Interventions directed to healthcare providers are needed, to increase specific competencies and ensure safe and affirming environments.

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Acknowledgments

The authors express their sincere gratitude to the persons who participated in this study. All authors who contributed significantly to the work have been identified.

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  1. Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Fausta Rosati, Jessica Pistella & Roberto Baiocco

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  1. Fausta Rosati
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  2. Jessica Pistella
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  3. Roberto Baiocco
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Correspondence to Roberto Baiocco.

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Rosati, F., Pistella, J. & Baiocco, R. Italian Sexual Minority Older Adults in Healthcare Services: Identities, Discriminations, and Competencies. Sex Res Soc Policy 18, 64–74 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-020-00443-z

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