Oncology healthcare providers' knowledge, attitudes, and practice behaviors regarding LGBT health.

OBJECTIVE: There are limited data on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) healthcare experiences and interactions with the providers. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practice behaviors of oncology providers regarding LGBT health. METHODS: A 32-item web-based survey was emailed to 388 oncology providers at a single institution. The survey assessed: demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practice behaviors. RESULTS: 108 providers participated in the survey (28% response rate). <50% answered knowledge questions correctly. 94% stated they were comfortable treating this population. 26% actively inquired about a patient's sexual orientation when taking a history. 36% felt the need for mandatory education on LGBT cultural competency at the institution. Results from the open comments section identified multiple misconceptions. CONCLUSION: This study revealed knowledge gaps about LGBT health risks. Cultural competency training may aid oncology providers to understand the need to inquire about patients' gender identity and sexual orientation. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health care providers who incorporate the routine collection of gender identity and sexual orientation (SOGI) in their patient history taking may improve patient care by offering tailored education and referrals. While identifying as LGBT does not in itself increase risk for adverse health outcomes, this population tends to have increased risk behaviors.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) Perceptions and Health Care Experiences.

BACKGROUND: The goal study of this was to explore attitudes, health knowledge, and experiences with healthcare setting and providers among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (GLBTQ) individuals and to identify areas for improvement. METHODS: Members of Equality Florida™ residing in the five counties of the Tampa Bay region were recruited through email invitation to complete a 60-item questionnaire assessing demographics, attitudes, and experiences with healthcare providers (HCPs). Additional open-ended questions focused on experiences with HCPs and suggestions for ways to improve HCPs' cultural competency. RESULTS: 632 respondents completed the survey of which 41% were gay men and 29% were lesbian. The majority of participants was White, non-Hispanic (93%), married/partnered (78%), and had health insurance (88%). The majority (67%) reported they always or often disclosed their sexual orientation/identity to an HCP and few had negative reactions in the healthcare setting (<10%). Healthcare settings with equality signs and gender-neutral language were perceived as safer. Participants' responses suggested need for policy changes and improved cultural competence among HCPs. CONCLUSION: Results show high rates of sexual orientation disclosure, greater acceptance from providers of GLBTQ status, and the need for examination of hospital policies and improved cultural competency.

Plasma cytokine analysis in patients with advanced extremity melanoma undergoing isolated limb infusion.

BACKGROUND: Preprocedure clinical and pathologic factors have failed to consistently differentiate complete response (CR) from progressive disease (PD) in patients after isolated limb infusion (ILI) with melphalan for unresectable in-transit extremity melanoma. METHODS: Multiplex immunobead assay technology (Milliplex MAP Human Cytokine/Chemokine Magnetic Bead Panel, Millipore Corp., Billerica, MA; and Magpix analytical test instrument, Luminex Corp., Austin, TX) was performed on pre-ILI plasma to determine concentrations of selected cytokines (MIP-1α, IL-1Rα, IP-10, IL-1ß, IL-1α, MCP-1, IL-6, IL-17, EGF, IL-12p40, VEGF, GM-CSF, and MIP-1ß) on a subset of patients (n = 180) who experienced CR (n = 23) or PD (n = 24) after ILI. Plasma from normal donors (n = 12) was also evaluated. RESULTS: Of 180 ILIs performed, 28 % (95 % confidence interval 22-35, n = 50) experienced a CR, 14 % (n = 25) experienced a partial response, 11 % (n = 21) had stable disease, 34 % (n = 61) had PD, and 13 % (n = 23) were not evaluable for response. Tumor characteristics and pharmacokinetics appeared similar between CR (n = 23) and PD (n = 24) patients who underwent cytokine analysis. Although there were no differences in cytokine levels between CR and PD patients, there were differences between the melanoma patients and controls. MIP-1α, IL-1Rα, IL-1ß, IL-1α, IL-17, EGF, IL-12p40, VEGF, GM-CSF, and MIP-1ß were significantly higher in normal controls compared to melanoma patients, while IP-10 was lower (p < 0.001) in controls compared to melanoma patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with unresectable in-transit melanoma appear to have markedly decreased levels of immune activating cytokines compared to normal healthy controls. This further supports a potential role for immune-targeted therapies and immune monitoring in patients with regionally advanced melanoma.