Implementing LGBTQ Culturally Appropriate Affirmation Training in the Southern United States: An Evidence-Based Practice Project

Abstract

Background: The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) community is diverse, and members have a shared need for culturally competent health care (CCH). Best practices show that culturally appropriate affirmation training (CAAT) bridges the sociocultural knowledge gap between patient and provider, resulting in increased access to CCH. Method: The pre-/posttest project design used validated tools to measure group changes in knowledge, attitude, and skills before and after delivery of LGBTQ CAAT. The sample included staff interacting with or making decisions on behalf of patients ( n = 11) at a nonprofit clinic in the southern United States. Results: A Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed an increase in health care team scores for knowledge, attitude, and skills (knowledge, p = .006, r = −.59; attitude, p = .123, r = −.33; skills, p = .005, r = −.60). Qualitative analysis (thematic analysis) (a) showed that participants explored sensitive subjects in a nonjudgmental way; (b) connected the dots between minority stress, bias, and patient-provider trust; and (c) showed increased staff confidence in providing care to LGBTQ patients. Conclusion: As staff undergo LGBTQ CAAT, access to CCH will increase, health outcomes will improve, and LGBTQ health disparities will decrease. [ J Contin Educ Nurs. 202x;5x(x):xx–xx.]