Experience of Discrimination in the healthcare context in the FLINTA* community and means of digital coping

Method FLINTA (female, lesbian, intersex, nonbinary, transgender, agender) individuals often face discrimination within healthcare, yet research on their experiences, particularly in Austria, remains limited. This study aims to fill this gap by conducting semi-structured interviews to explore discrimination experiences and the role of digital means as coping strategies FLINTA individuals use in healthcare contexts.

Material und Methodik Fifteen semi-structured interviews will be conducted with FLINTA individuals recruited through community organizations and online platforms. The interviews will focus on their experiences of discrimination, both psychosocial and physical, encountered within healthcare settings. Participants will also discuss their use of digital means and technologies in managing healthcare-related experiences, resulting in empowering and disempowering processes.

Expected Results Findings from this study are anticipated to reveal a spectrum of discrimination experiences encountered by FLINTA individuals within healthcare settings in Austria. It is expected that participants will report instances of both overt and subtle discrimination, including denial of care, insensitive language, and lack of respect for gender identity and expression.

It is hypothesized that digital means (e.g., Social Media) and technologies play a significant role in the coping strategies employed by FLINTA individuals to navigate healthcare discrimination. Participants may highlight the use of online support groups, telemedicine services, and health-related mobile applications as avenues for accessing information, seeking peer support, and mitigating the impact of discriminatory encounters.

The expected results also suggest that FLINTA individuals who utilize digital coping strategies may demonstrate greater resilience and empowerment in managing their healthcare experiences compared to those who do not. Additionally, insights into the intersectionality of identities within the FLINTA community, such as race, socioeconomic status, and disability, may emerge, highlighting unique challenges faced by subgroups within this population.

Discussion Overall, the anticipated findings will underscore the urgent need for healthcare providers and policymakers in Austria to address systemic discrimination and improve cultural competence in providing care to FLINTA individuals. By recognizing the multifaceted nature of discrimination and the adaptive strategies employed by FLINTA individuals, this study aims to contribute to the development of more inclusive and responsive digital healthcare services and interventions tailored to the needs of this marginalized population to foster empowerment.

 

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Publication History

Article published online:
05 December 2024