Title : Assessing Staff Knowledge of Veterans Administration LGBT Healthcare Guidelines: A Local Cultural Competency Assessment
Abstract:
Background: Social and political progress has been witnessed for persons identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Honorably discharged veterans who identify as LGBT are entitled to healthcare services through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and guidelines (directives) have been developed by the VHA to guide healthcare professionals in delivery of care to LGBT veterans.
Objectives: The purpose of this project was to 1) evaluate the current level of LGBT cultural competence among nursing staff assigned to the Orlando VA Medical Center’s Surgical Services department; and 2) improve LGBT cultural competence of staff members who provide nursing care to LGBT veterans.
Methods: A 20-question LGBT cultural competency assessment was developed using information contained in a training presentation from the Veterans Health Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) and LGBT healthcare delivery guidelines contained in VHA Directive 2017-003, Providing Health care for Transgender and Intersex Veterans. Pre- and post-training test scores were evaluated among the following participant demographics (N = 23): gender, education, ethnic or racial identification, age, and veteran versus non-veteran status. The majority of participants were female (60.9%), registered nurses (69.6%), and 40 years of age or older (82.6%). The majority of participants held bachelor degrees or higher (65.2%); veteran status, 52.2% veteran versus 47.8% non-veteran, was statistically insignificant.
Results: Paired sample t-tests demonstrated increased post-test versus pre-test scores among all participant demographics. Paired samples correlation values demonstrated statistical significance among three participant demographics: female gender, those with a college degree, and veteran status. ANOVA analysis of scores between gender, occupation, and veteran status were statistically insignificant. While ANOVA analysis demonstrated no statistical significance among participants, paired samples t-tests analysis of pre- versus post-test scores demonstrated the need for LGBT cultural competence training at the Orlando VA Medical Center.
