The Experiences of LGBTQ Healthcare Professionals within Military Medical Culture

Background: Creating a positive workplace culture affects patient outcomes and force readiness. An inclusive workplace culture is especially important for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) military healthcare professionals, who have historically faced discrimination within the United States military. While research has examined LGBTQ service members’ experiences in the military as a whole, there is a gap in the professional literature regarding LGBTQ healthcare workers’ experiences within military medicine. Methods: This qualitative phenomenological study explored the experiences of ten LGBTQ military healthcare professionals. We interviewed each participant for one hour. Our research team then coded each interview and came to a consensus on how to organize these codes into emerging themes. We used reflexivity and member checking to increase the credibility of our results. Results: Four themes emerged from our data analysis: (1) implicit bias; (2) explicit bias; (3) response to discrimination; and (4) recommendations for improving workplace culture. The participants described both the underlying and outright discrimination they faced at work. They made recommendations for reducing this discrimination through education, training, and increased leadership representation. Conclusions: Our results revealed that LGBTQ healthcare professionals continue to face discrimination in the workplace. This discrimination must be addressed to create an inclusive workplace environment within military medicine, which will enhance force readiness.