Details of Research Results
on Sexual Health Care of WSW
Online Survey Results
FOCUS GROUP REPORT
(Full report can be obtained by calling either Pat Sandin
or Leah Hebert at 612.332.2311)
Focus groups held:
October 10th, 11th and
13th, 2007
Introduction:
• Three focus groups were held with
27 WSW as part of the market research.
Participant demographics:
Twenty-seven women participated in the three
focus groups Almost all (25) women identified themselves
as Caucasian, one as African American and one as Latino.
All were between the ages of 23-49 years, with approximately
one-third being 23-26, another third being 27-33 and the
other third being 35-49. Almost all (23) lived in Minneapolis
with most of those living in south Minneapolis Three participants
lived in St. Paul and one lived in St. Louis Park. Most
(15) worked in Minneapolis, particularly in south Minneapolis
One worked in St. Paul and six were unemployed. Four of
the participants have children, 11 more said they are planning
to have children or would like to some time in the future.
Summary
All participants voiced a strong need
for sensitive, respectful and knowledgeable high quality
sexual health care for WSW. The strongest identified
need was for young women and women currently unsatisfied
with their health care. While quality sexual health care
was a high priority, participants also indicated a strong
need for overall high quality health care for WSW. Consistent
and long-term relationships with sensitive and respectful
health care providers were critical for quality care.
What would good quality sexual health
care look like to you?
Describe what quality sexual health care would be for you.
COMMENTS:
• A welcoming and inclusive environment;
including:
 •
Gender and sexual preference neutral registration forms
and interview questions;
• Queer identified doctors; and
• Inclusive physical environment, such as posters
of diverse families and relationships, WSW identified magazines,
inclusive pamphlets and signs;
• Sensitive, respectful and caring health care staff
members who are also knowledgeable about WSW and their specific
sexual health concerns;
• Referrals to respectful, inclusive, high quality
health care practitioners;
• Providers who include the woman’s partner
in the health visit, particularly during pregnancy;
• Consistent and long-term relationship with care
providers;
• Consent and health care directives that include
partners;
• Insurance coverage and sliding fee scale; and
• Easy access including close proximity to public
transportation, parking and open evenings and or weekends.
Several participants suggested that MHCW should
explore the possibility of educating and advocating for inclusive
care rather than providing the care. As one participant said,
“Changing the system rather than providing a specialized
service may be valuable.”
What other services would be important to provide?
Additional requested services suggested by most participants
included:
• Mental health care specializing in
WSW;
• Good referrals to high quality, sensitive and respectful
care providers;
• Fertility information and insemination;
• Resource list for other services;
• Access to general practitioners; and
• Likelihood of developing a long-term relationship
with the care provider, that develops from spending time
with the patient.
Two other services suggested by a few women, included:
• Transgender resources for folks who
may be in transition; and
• Hormone care.
If MHCW decides to provide sexual health
care for WSW, all agreed it would be important for the Center
to market to the WSW community. In two of the focus groups,
5 of 18 participants had heard of MHCW. Participants suggested
the Center advertise in WSW media but also in other diverse
communities. They encouraged MHCW continue to demonstrate
their commitment to the WSW community. One woman explained
that holding the WSW focus groups already indicated commitment
to the WSW community.
SURVEY
RESULTS
The survey was available via www.surveymonkey.com
between 10/02/07 – 10/21/07
• 32 women participated in the survey
59%
were age 25-34
72% self-identified as Caucasian
28% had children
62% lived in Minneapolis
• 26% of respondents indicated that
the sexual health care they were receiving was somewhat
or not adequate
• 13% of respondents were receiving
no sexual health care of any kind
• When asked what quality sexual health
care would look like, 96% of respondents indicated “medical
professionals’ understanding of my sexuality”
• When asked what gets in the way of
receiving the medical services that they want, the two most
popular answers were “cost” and “the attitudes
of health care professionals about my sexuality”
• When asked if they would prefer to
receive health care at a clinic that specializes in providing
sexual health care to WSW, instead of their current health
care provider, 59% said yes
Representative Comments
from Survey Respondents:
“I've had experiences where I have felt
uncomfortable to explain my relationships and didn't confide
in my health care practitioner.”
“The surgeon at our first meeting seemed
frozen when introduced to my life partner.”
“I had a visit with my nurse practitioner.
I had seen her before and discussed my sexual orientation
and that my partner was a woman. When I came in for a visit
about another concern, she asked me if I was on birth control
pills. I said "no" and then she immediately asked
in what I perceived to be a condescending way what I was doing
to prevent pregnancy. I again had to explain that my partner
is a woman. I was upset that she had no memory or record of
our previous conversation. We had discussed all of this at
my visit just a few months earlier.”
“I have quite honestly never had a very
good sexual health care experience. I am pretty healthy, go
in for my annual pap and that's about it. IDEALLY, a good
sexual health care experience for me would be: 1) someone
who asks me about my orientation, rather than assume it and
2) someone who then does not shy away from the topic, but
rather engage in a conversation with me about what she knows
about sexual health care for bisexual women.”
more Participant Quotes
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