College of Nursing and Health Sciences DNP Defense - Barbara Ahigian, RN
Project Title: Improving Culturally Sensitive Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse Persons in an Outpatient Substance Use Treatment Center Setting Through Staff Education
Student name: Barbara Ahigian, RN
Date of Defense: Thursday, April 24, 2025
Time: 10am
Faculty Mentor: Martha M. Whitfield, PhD, APRN
Second Faculty Reader: Maryellen Brisbois, PhD
Clinical Site Mentor: Teresa Jagoda, FNP-C
Abstract
Introduction and Background: Culturally sensitive care for the transgender population has been shown to be best practice. While the terms culturally competent care and culturally sensitive care are often used interchangeably, I maintain a distinction between the two concepts for the purposes of this quality improvement project. Culturally sensitive care is a complex concept that includes healthcare professionals’ attitudes and knowledge and is affected by their experiences. However, an informal needs assessment at an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment center showed a lack of confidence and knowledge regarding the provision of culturally tailored clinical interventions to treat substance use disorder in transgender individuals accessing substance use treatment. This project assessed how an educational intervention affected healthcare professionals’ knowledge and attitudes around delivering culturally sensitive care to transgender individuals.
Method:
An educational intervention focused on the provision of culturally sensitive care to transgender individuals was presented to staff at an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment clinic. Knowledge level and attitudes were measured before and after the intervention using a survey based on a modified Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale (ATLG).
Results:
The participants’ attitudes and knowledge were appraised both prior to and following the intervention using a survey based on a modified Attitude Toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale. A statistically significant increase in positive attitudes was observed immediately following the intervention. Additionally, the post intervention survey reflected changes in awareness of cultural differences during interactions while 4/15 acknowledged the need for further training in transgender healthcare to feel more confident.
Discussion and Implications:
The potential for increased knowledge, translating to improvement in attitude, comfort and confidence among staff members leading to culturally sensitive care for transgender individuals who are clients at/of the substance use treatment clinic.
Conclusion: This quality improvement project first assessed the attitude and level of comfort of staff members at a substance use treatment center with transgender individuals. A follow up survey was conducted after an educational intervention to assess any changes in attitude of the staff members translating to an improved care experience for transgender individuals.
ZOOM
Deanna Hoffman
dhoffman@umassd.edu