A rapid review of end-of-life needs in the LGBTQ+ community and recommendations for clinicians
Date
2022
Authors
Lintott, Lisa
Beringer, Robert
Do, Annie
Daudt, Helena
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Palliative Medicine
Abstract
Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer plus (LGBTQ+) adults face challenges accessing end-of-life care.
Understanding the experiences of LGBTQ+ persons within the end-of-life context is crucial in addressing their needs and supporting
equity at end of life.
Aim: Review recent literature documenting the experiences of LGBTQ+ adults nearing end-of-life, identifying needs, barriers to care,
and translating this into clinical recommendations.
Design: A rapid review design was chosen for prompt results. The process was streamlined by limiting the literature search to peer-reviewed
articles, dissertations, theses, by date and language. Data collection used a predetermined set of items based on Meyer’s
Minority Stress and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Models including participants’ voices, needs, and barriers. Thematic analysis of
collected data was conducted and presented results in a narrative summary.
Data Sources: We searched six electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses A&I, ProQuest Dissertations
and Theses, Open Access Theses and Dissertations, CINAHL, and Google Scholar) for articles published from 2016 to 2020.
Results: We included and appraised for quality 33 articles. We uncovered three latent themes: systemic barriers, a lack of lived
experience within the literature, and treatment of LGBTQ+ as one homogeneous group.
Conclusions: The hybrid Meyer’s Minority Stress and Bronfenbrenner Ecological model elucidated how stressors and social contexts
may impact LGBTQ+ adults when accessing end-of-life care. Incorporating LGBTQ+ cultural competence training into continuing
education and ensuring that LGBTQ+ individuals participate in the development of end-of-life care programming may better attend
to the needs of this population.
Description
Keywords
LGBTQ+, LGBTQ, end-of-life care, aging, palliative care, long-term care, rapid review, health services needs and demands
Citation
Lintott, L., Beringer, R., Do, A., & Daudt, H. (2022). “A rapid review of end-of-life needs in the LGBTQ+ community and recommendations for clinicians.” Palliative Medicine, 36(4), 609-624. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163221078475