Late Breaking Original Research
Sunday, November 12, 2023
12:45 PM–02:15 PM
Abstract
Introduction: Sexual or gender minority (SGM) individuals are known to experience stigma and discrimination in pharmacy settings. It is also known that SGM individuals may delay or avoid care in pharmacies due to the stress associated with these experiences. Aside from avoidance, however, little is known about how SGM individuals cope with stigma and discrimination and how their coping strategies may influence their healthcare behaviours.
Research Question or Hypothesis: This study aimed to characterize how SGM individuals cope with stigma and discrimination in pharmacy settings.
Study Design: This was a qualitative phenomenological study using semi-structured interviews.
Methods: SGM individuals living in a Canadian Maritime province were eligible for this study. Interviews followed a theoretically underpinned topic guide designed to elicit participants’ experiences in pharmacies. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes. Two investigators independently inductively coded each transcript and discrepancies in coding were resolved using discussion. Codes were then combined into categories and themes were interpreted from the categorized data.
Results: A total of 31 SGM individuals completed the interviews (80% visiting pharmacies at least monthly). Five themes were identified to explain how SGM individuals cope with stigma and discrimination in pharmacy settings: avoidance (avoiding or withdrawing from care), seeking support (from people or familiar settings), perseverance (when faced with no other option), concealment (of SGM identity when possible), and lowering expectations (of pharmacist knowledge and competence).
Conclusion: Findings support the notion that individuals cope in different ways and across a wide spectrum of behaviours. Those that avoid care, conceal their SGM identity, or are forced to persevere through interactions may be at increased risk for both physical and mental health disparities. Those that seek support or lower expectations may also be at risk of reduced access to quality care.
Presenting Author
Samuel Villemure B.ScDalhousie University
Authors
Kyle Wilby PhD