End-of-Life Issues for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Patients: Gaining Awareness

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) individuals face unique challenges in their lives due to societal views of different forms of sexuality. When LGBT patients face terminal illness, these issues can become even more prominent and challenging for patients, families and IDT members to address. Experiences with subtle and/or blatant discrimination can lead to LGBT individuals feeling distrustful of the IDT and fearful of opening themselves and their lives up to scrutiny which may be judgmental. Increased awareness of issues faced by the LGBT community will help ITDT members provide nonjudgmental, compassionate and sensitive palliative and hospice care services to LGBT patients.