Heteronormativity and practitioner-patient interaction.

Utamsingh, Pooja Dushyant

Richman, Laura Smart

Martin, Julie L

Lattanner, Micah R

Chaikind, Jeremy Ross

England

2016-04-08T14:39:55Z

2016

Heteronormativity is the presumption of heterosexuality as the default sexual orientation and can result in discrimination against the lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) population. This study serves as one of the first experimental studies to examine heteronormative perceptions in communication and their effects on practitioner-patient relationships. LGB participants were randomly assigned to read either heteronormative or non-heteronormative vignettes of a doctor-patient interaction. They then indicated how much health-relevant information they would disclose to the doctor in the vignette and their level of trust in the doctor. In the heteronormative condition, participants were less likely to disclose health-relevant information to the doctor in the vignette and were less trustful of the doctor as compared to those in the non-heteronormative condition. These results have important health implications, as lack of disclosure and trust may prevent people from getting needed care and prevent doctors from giving the best health advice possible. The results of this study provide further evidence that there is a need for more education for all health care professionals to feel comfortable while respectfully communicating with and treating patients who do not identify as heterosexual in order to ensure the best health care experience.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26421354

1532-7027

https://hdl.handle.net/10161/11794

eng

Informa UK Limited

Health Commun

10.1080/10410236.2014.979975

Heteronormativity and practitioner-patient interaction.

Journal article

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26421354

566

574

5

Duke

Psychology and Neuroscience

Student

Trinity College of Arts & Sciences

Published

31