• Lisa Lintott, Robert Beringer, Annie Do, and Helena Daudt.
• School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
• Palliat Med. 2022 Apr 1; 36 (4): 609-624.

BackgroundLesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer plus (LGBTQ+) adults face challenges accessing end-of-life care. Understanding the experiences of LGBTQ+ persons within the end-of-life context is crucial in addressing their needs and supporting equity at end of life.AimReview recent literature documenting the experiences of LGBTQ+ adults nearing end-of-life, identifying needs, barriers to care, and translating this into clinical recommendations.DesignA rapid review design was chosen for prompt results. The process was streamlined by limiting the literature search to peer-reviewed articles, dissertations, theses, by date and language. Data collection used a predetermined set of items based on Meyer's Minority Stress and Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Models including participants' voices, needs, and barriers. Thematic analysis of collected data was conducted and presented results in a narrative summary.Data SourcesWe searched six electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses A&I, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Open Access Theses and Dissertations, CINAHL, and Google Scholar) for articles published from 2016 to 2020.ResultsWe included and appraised for quality 33 articles. We uncovered three latent themes: systemic barriers, a lack of lived experience within the literature, and treatment of LGBTQ+ as one homogeneous group.ConclusionsThe hybrid Meyer's Minority Stress and Bronfenbrenner Ecological model elucidated how stressors and social contexts may impact LGBTQ+ adults when accessing end-of-life care. Incorporating LGBTQ+ cultural competence training into continuing education and ensuring that LGBTQ+ individuals participate in the development of end-of-life care programming may better attend to the needs of this population.

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