Beyond Access: Relational Experiences of LGBTQI+ Individuals in Pharmacy Encounters and Implications for Inclusive Practice and Education in the Republic of Cyprus

Providing inclusive healthcare for LGBTQI+ populations remains a significant challenge, with communication, relational dynamics, and contextual factors shaping experiences of care. Community pharmacies are among the most accessible healthcare settings, where confidentiality, visibility, and trust are negotiated, particularly within small-community contexts. This study explored the experiences of LGBTQI+ individuals in community pharmacies in the Republic of Cyprus and their implications for pharmacy practice and education. Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted between November 2025 and March 2026, either face-to-face or by telephone. Guided by a phenomenological orientation and informed by minority stress theory, patient-centred care, and cultural safety, data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Pharmacy encounters were experienced as fundamentally relational. Six interconnected themes were identified: pharmacy encounters as relational experiences; confidentiality as dignity and social safety; communication and micro-interactions; knowledge gaps and professional engagement; recognition without othering; and variability within LGBTQI+ experiences. Participants highlighted the importance of respectful communication, discretion, and professional openness, while concerns regarding anonymity and potential social exposure were amplified within the small-community context of Cyprus. Inclusive pharmacy care extends beyond clinical competence and requires relational, context-sensitive practice. Strengthening communication skills, reflexive practice, LGBTQI+ health literacy, and relational competence may support more inclusive, person-centred pharmacy services.