Lesbian, gay, and bisexual ( LGB ) people's experiences of nursing health care: An emancipatory nursing practice integrative review

AIM: To review current research on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals' experience of nursing services from an emancipatory nursing practice framework. BACKGROUND: As LGB issues are marginalized in health care, it is important to understand LGB individuals' experiences of nursing. DESIGN: An integrative literature review using critical analysis based on an emancipatory nursing practice framework was conducted. DATA SOURCES: A search of all English nursing journals in the World of Science database was conducted. REVIEW METHODS: Established methods were used to search, identify, and appraise articles meeting the criteria of examining LGB individuals' experiences of nursing services, published in the years 2009 to 2015. Sixteen articles that met the inclusion criteria were identified independently by the two authors. Data were analysed using descriptive and critical phases of enquiry. RESULTS: Results show a nexus of experiences of exclusion and oppressive social norms. Our analytical framework highlighted absences in nursing practice. No research indicates that LGB people experience nurses as advocates or participatory health care processes. CONCLUSION: Standards, training, and systems need to be devised that ensure inclusionary nursing practices, that encourage nurses to act as advocates for LGB health care justice, and that allow LGB individual to participate in the development of health care policies and procedures.