Table 2.
Attitudes Toward LGBT Hospice Patients and Caregivers Scale items (N=122)
| n (%) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATPLS # | Question | Mean | SD | Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree |
| 1 | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) hospice family caregivers and patients deserve the same level of quality care as heterosexual patients | 4.74 | 0.91 | 6(4.9) | 0(0.0) | 2(1.6) | 4(3.3) | 110(90.2) |
| 2 | LGBT family caregivers and patients should only seek services from hospices with gay and lesbian specific specialization.a | 4.48 | 0.91 | 84(68.9) | 20(16.4) | 14(11.5) | 1(0.8) | 3(2.5) |
| 3 | Private hospices have a responsibility to serve (or provide care for) LGBT patients and families. | 4.58 | 0.96 | 6(4.9) | 0(0.0) | 5(4.1) | 17(13.9) | 94(77.0) |
| 4 | I would be comfortable if I became known among my professional peers as a hospice professional who cares for LGBT patients and families. | 4.45 | 1.08 | 7(5.7) | 2(1.6) | 8(6.6) | 17(13.9) | 88(72.1) |
| 5 | I am concerned that if heterosexual patients or their families learned that I was caring for LGBT patients and families, they will no longer seek my care.a,b | 4.41 | 0.89 | 73(60.3) | 31(25.6) | 12(9.9) | 3(2.5) | 2(1.7) |
| 6 | I would be comfortable telling my intimate partner that I cared for LGBT patients.a | 4.66 | 0.82 | 3(2.5) | 1(0.8) | 6(5.0) | 14(11.7) | 96(80.0) |
| 7 | It would be more challenging to gather a history from an LGBT patient or family caregiver than from a heterosexual patient or caregiver.a | 4.32 | 0.87 | 69(56.6) | 26(21.3) | 24(19.7) | 3(2.5) | 0(0.0) |
| 8 | It is more challenging to discuss sexual behavior with LGBT patients than with heterosexual patients.a | 4.04 | 1.03 | 55(45.1) | 28(23.0) | 29(23.8) | 9(7.4) | 1(0.8) |
| 9 | LGBT patients and/or family caregivers should disclose their sexual orientation to their hospice care team.a | 3.43 | 1.00 | 25(20.5) | 19(15.6) | 67(54.9) | 6(4.9) | 5(4.1) |
| 10 | Same-sex sexual attraction is a natural expression of sexuality in humans.b | 4.15 | 0.98 | 1(1.3) | 1(1.3) | 22(29.3) | 13(17.3) | 38(50.7) |
| 11 | Same-sex sexual behavior is a natural expression of sexuality in humans. | 3.80 | 1.22 | 7(6.0) | 7(6.0) | 37(31.9) | 16(13.8) | 49(42.2) |
| Total Score | Items 1–11 | Mean 47.04 |
SD 5.64 |
Median 48 |
Min 32 |
Max 55 |
||
a
Indicates item with reverse coding.
b
Item 5 had 1 missing response; item 6 had 2 missing responses, item 10 had 47 missing responses, Item 11 had 6 missing responses