“The stories that queer people carry into medical encounters are a rich and underutilized resource for healthcare providers...explore the challenges that queer people may face when they seek healthcare...look at strategies that nurses can use to build on strengths, encourage storytelling, and create relationships of trust to provide the best care to queer patients.” - Jane Shulman
Jane Shulman presented a workshop called Queering Nursing Education at the CNSA 2020 conference. She suggested that we ask ourselves; who is served in healthcare and who is sidelined?
Jane studies Queer experiences in healthcare at McGill University through a method called autoethnography (understanding cultural experience through stories). She suggested a few tips for making your practise more 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, +) friendly.
1. Identify on your person that you are 2SLGBTQIA+ friendly, where a button or put up posters. Even if someone has not had a negative interaction with you, previous experiences of oppression may lead to fear of coming out.
2. Challenge your coworkers - if you hear discrimination, call it out.
3. Report malpractice - it is your professional duty.
4. Acknowledge trauma - know that folks in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are at a higher risk of having experienced trauma in healthcare. Do what you can to promote a culture of safety, which starts with asking, “What can I do to help you feel comfortable?”
Any questions? Jane was kind enough to share her email as a resource: contact jane.shulman@gmail.com if you are curious about her research! Or search Jane Shulman through the Gerstein Library to read her papers!
Written by Andrea Robinson