TY - JOUR
T1 - LGBTQIA+ inclusive health training in nursing education
T2 - An in-depth analysis of the current landscape
AU - Kalaimathi, Ani Grace
AU - D'Souza, Russell Franco
AU - Mathew, Mary
AU - Surapaneni, Krishna Mohan
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Authors
PY - 2025/12
Y1 - 2025/12
N2 - LGBTQIA+ individuals continue to face significant health disparities globally, driven by stigma, discrimination, and culturally insensitive healthcare practices. In India, despite progress such as the decriminalization of same-sex relationships in 2018, LGBTQIA+ individuals often encounter marginalization and exclusion within healthcare systems. Nurses, as primary healthcare providers, play a pivotal role in addressing these disparities; however, nursing education frequently lacks adequate training to prepare students for the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ patients. This study aimed to assess the perceptions, confidence, and institutional training of nursing students in India regarding LGBTQIA+-inclusive care. A quantitative, descriptive survey design was employed, involving 90 nursing students who completed a 16 item structured and validated questionnaire. Results revealed that while students exhibited positive perceptions toward LGBTQIA+ individuals, their confidence in performing critical tasks, such as sexual history-taking and physical examinations, was low. Institutional training was also found to be insufficient, indicating gaps in the current curriculum. The findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive and practical LGBTQIA+-specific training in nursing education to enhance cultural competence and confidence among future nurses. Addressing these gaps is crucial to reducing health disparities and ensuring equitable, inclusive, and compassionate care for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
AB - LGBTQIA+ individuals continue to face significant health disparities globally, driven by stigma, discrimination, and culturally insensitive healthcare practices. In India, despite progress such as the decriminalization of same-sex relationships in 2018, LGBTQIA+ individuals often encounter marginalization and exclusion within healthcare systems. Nurses, as primary healthcare providers, play a pivotal role in addressing these disparities; however, nursing education frequently lacks adequate training to prepare students for the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ patients. This study aimed to assess the perceptions, confidence, and institutional training of nursing students in India regarding LGBTQIA+-inclusive care. A quantitative, descriptive survey design was employed, involving 90 nursing students who completed a 16 item structured and validated questionnaire. Results revealed that while students exhibited positive perceptions toward LGBTQIA+ individuals, their confidence in performing critical tasks, such as sexual history-taking and physical examinations, was low. Institutional training was also found to be insufficient, indicating gaps in the current curriculum. The findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive and practical LGBTQIA+-specific training in nursing education to enhance cultural competence and confidence among future nurses. Addressing these gaps is crucial to reducing health disparities and ensuring equitable, inclusive, and compassionate care for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105020881753
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105020881753#tab=citedBy
U2 - 10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100499
DO - 10.1016/j.sctalk.2025.100499
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105020881753
SN - 2772-5693
VL - 16
JO - Science Talks
JF - Science Talks
M1 - 100499
ER -
