The lived experiences of lesbians over 50 as patients in primary healthcare settings

• Main Author: Dinkel, Shirley Ann
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2005
• Subjects: Gays & lesbians; Gerontology; Health care; Nursing; Patients; Primary care; Womens studies
• ISBN: 9780542028823; 0542028824

With the overall aging population in the U.S., it is anticipated that a significant proportion of elder Americans, including lesbians, have health conditions that warrant an increased understanding of geriatric healthcare experiences. Few studies have examined the primary healthcare experiences of aging lesbians. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the lived experiences of lesbians over the age of 50 as patients in primary healthcare settings. Using North American, descriptive phenomenology, principles of concept mapping and purposive sampling techniques, interviews were conducted with 15 lesbians over the age of 50. All women were U.S. citizens and had been patients in a primary healthcare setting at least one time in their adult lives. Four themes emerged from the data. They included patterns of disclosure, experiences of homophobia and heterosexism, experiences of ageism and visions of an ideal provider. While findings were consistent with previous research, two overarching themes became evident. First, lesbians over 50 are virtually invisible in primary healthcare settings. Second, over the years, the healthcare system has remained static by doing little to understand the growing needs of this population thus providing culturally incompetent care. Using the Culturally Competent Model of Care developed by Campinha-Bacote implications for healthcare practice and education include increasing awareness and knowledge of the needs of lesbians over 50, addressing homophobia and heterosexism in healthcare settings, and creating learning experiences to improve skill and extend competent care to diverse populations. Recommendations for future research include incorporating a variety of phenomenological philosophies and methods to investigate the research question, exploring the concepts of homophobia and heterosexism and employing Structural Equation Modeling to investigate the relationships between the identified themes. All recommendations have the potential to make lesbians over 50 visible, thus potentially improving their well-being.