Date of Conferral

6-11-2025

Degree

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.)

School

Management

Advisor

Kourtney Nieves

Abstract

Women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, or other sexual orientations (i.e., sexual minority women) experience poorer health outcomes compared to heterosexual women. Despite the increasing prevalence of sexual minority women in the United States, little research exists to identify their unique health needs. Healthcare administrators play a critical role in promoting a higher standard of patient care by identifying systemic issues and leveraging data-driven solutions. The purpose of this study was to examine various aspects of care delivery in clinical encounters involving sexual minority women and evaluate their perception of care quality. Donabedian’s model of healthcare quality served as the theoretical framework for this study. Secondary data from the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Consumer Survey of Health Care Access were explored using chi-square tests of independence and multivariable logistic regression. The chi-square analysis revealed lesbian or bisexual women were less likely to report receiving clear explanations (p = .043), sufficient time with the provider (p < .001), or being treated with respect (p = 0.001). The results of these analyses also found no significant difference in patient satisfaction between sexual minority and heterosexual women (p = .377), while controlling for covariates. A study of this framework contributes to positive social change by identifying patient satisfaction predictors for this patient population and perceptions of care delivery among diverse patient populations. Healthcare administrators can use these insights to address the complexities of delivering equitable care to diverse patient populations and develop inclusive quality measures, improving the organization’s overall standard of care.

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Available for download on Wednesday, December 10, 2025

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