Programmatic vulnerability from the perspective of LGBTQIA+ professionals and older people: a scoping review

ABSTRACT

Programmatic vulnerability concerns access to and use of health resources, such as programs aimed at health prevention, care, and rehabilitation. For LGBTQIA+ older people, vulnerability issues are even more significant, since that group faces other social issues that reflect on the preparation of professionals to provide care in health services. The aim was to map the occurrence of programmatic vulnerability among LGBTQIA+ older people. This is a scoping review, guided by the JBI recommendations using the mnemonic P (LGBTQIA+ older people), C (vulnerability), and C (healthcare programs). The documents were analyzed qualitatively using the R Interface software, IRaMuTeQ. Two thematic categories were identified: The construction of comprehensive care: the role of health and social institutions in developing actions aimed at the needs of LGBTQIA+ older people; Programmatic vulnerability: gaps in care for older people belonging to sexual minorities. This study identified that situations of vulnerability are more evident in health services, long-term care institutions, and in care provided by health professionals, suffering from stigma and prejudice.

KEYWORDS
Disaster vulnerability; Aged; Sexual and gender minorities