Date of Graduation

Spring 5-18-2023

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Department/Program

Nursing

Program

Family Nurse Practitioner

First Advisor

Alexa Curtis

Second Advisor

Laura Chyu

Abstract

Background and Problem: LGBTQ+ adolescents and young adults (ages 12-25 years) are known to have higher rates of physical and mental health concerns compared to heterosexual and cisgender youth. Within the LGBTQ+ youth community, rates of suicidality, substance misuse, homelessness, and STIs are higher than in the general population. LGBTQ+ youth have greater challenges accessing healthcare and higher rates of healthcare discrimination. This paper presents a quality improvement project focused on improving evidence-based practices in LGBTQ+ healthcare through the development and implementation of a LGBTQ+ youth centered educational workshop for healthcare providers.

Methods: This project was organized in collaboration with stakeholders at Adolescent Health Working Group (AHWG) based on identified needs of the organization. The design and education of the workshop was supported by current literature and evaluation was performed. The theory of cultural humility informed the development of the project and outcome measures.

Interventions: An educational workshop was provided to 11 providers within the AHWG network. A pre- and post-workshop evaluation was provided to assess learning outcomes. Additionally, a toolkit drive was provided with educational resources for providers and educational handouts for youth and caregivers.

Results: Providers were assessed on knowledge, confidence in providing LGBTQ+ centered youth care, and attitudes toward LGBTQ+ youth within the pre- and post-evaluations. For knowledge-centered questions, the highest attainable score increased by 29.9%. For confidence-centered questions, the highest attainable score increased by 26.8%. And the attitudes-centered highest attainable score increased by 6.0%. Overall, this led to an average improvement in pre- and post-workshop scores of 20.9%.

Conclusion: There is a gap in healthcare provider knowledge around LGBTQ+ youth centered care. Providing education on LGBTQ+ youth health needs can help address the knowledge gap in healthcare providers. With increased education, healthcare providers will have improved abilities in providing equitable LGBTQ+ youth care.

Keywords: lgbt*, sensitive or humility or competent, education or care or training, access or engagement, young adult or youth or adoles*

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