The healthcare experiences of LGBT + individuals in Europe: A systematic review

Introduction LGBT + individuals are less likely to access and utilize healthcare services compared to the general population. Moreover, they are more likely to report unmet healthcare needs due to experiences of heterosexism and cisgenderism within healthcare settings. This systematic review aims to present an overview of the current state of the experiences of LGBT + individuals in healthcare settings across Europe. Method A systematic search for quantitative and qualitative studies was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. The Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were searched up to May 2024 to identify eligible records for inclusion in the review. Boolean operators were used to combine terms related to the LGBT + population and their experiences in healthcare settings across Europe. Results A total of 29 articles were included in the review, whose results were grouped into three main themes: (1) barriers to accessing healthcare services, (2) cis- and hetero-normativity in perinatal care, and (3) protective factors in healthcare experiences. Conclusions The barriers to accessing healthcare services and the perceived need to educate healthcare professionals about their specific health needs often result in LGBT + individuals not receiving adequate care, negatively affecting their health and well-being. Policy Implications A deeper understanding of the processes underlying the healthcare needs of LGBT + individuals should be accompanied by political and social policies that support and promote the fundamental rights of the LGBT + population. This includes ensuring adequate healthcare services free from discrimination and educating healthcare professionals about the specific health needs of the LGBT + community.