Deirdre A Shires1, Daphna Stroumsa2,3, Kim D Jaffee4, Michael R Woodford5. 1. School of Social Work, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 3. Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 4. School of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA. 5. Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work, Wilfrid Laurier University Kitchener, Canada.
Abstract
Background: Most transgender individuals either use or are interested in using gender-affirming hormone therapy (HT). Making gender-affirming HT available in primary care is critical for quality care to this vulnerable population. The barriers that transgender patients experience to accessing this treatment may be exacerbated if primary care providers (PCPs) will not provide it. Little is known about PCPs' willingness to administer HT to transgender patients. Objective: To examine whether PCPs are willing to continue prescribing HT for transgender patients and the factors that predict such willingness. Methods: An online survey of internal and family medicine physicians and residents practising in a large integrated Midwest health system (n = 308); 158 responded to the relevant questions (51.3%). Results: Approximately 50% of respondents were willing to continue HT for transgender patients. Most participants had previously met a transgender person (77%), and approximately half of them had cared for a transgender patient in the past 5 years. Multivariate logistic regression results indicate that attending physicians had lower odds of willingness to continue HT compared with medical residents, and those who reported perceived capability of providing routine care to transgender patients had higher odds of willingness. Conclusions: Only about half of PCPs surveyed were willing to continue HT for transgender patients. Our study indicates that both personal and clinical factors play a role. Future research should address ways to increase PCPs' willingness and comfort related to continuing HT for transgender patients.
Background: Most transgender individuals either use or are interested in using gender-affirming hormone therapy (HT). Making gender-affirming HT available in primary care is critical for quality care to this vulnerable population. The barriers that transgender patients experience to accessing this treatment may be exacerbated if primary care providers (PCPs) will not provide it. Little is known about PCPs' willingness to administer HT to transgender patients. Objective: To examine whether PCPs are willing to continue prescribing HT for transgender patients and the factors that predict such willingness. Methods: An online survey of internal and family medicine physicians and residents practising in a large integrated Midwest health system (n = 308); 158 responded to the relevant questions (51.3%). Results: Approximately 50% of respondents were willing to continue HT for transgender patients. Most participants had previously met a transgender person (77%), and approximately half of them had cared for a transgender patient in the past 5 years. Multivariate logistic regression results indicate that attending physicians had lower odds of willingness to continue HT compared with medical residents, and those who reported perceived capability of providing routine care to transgender patients had higher odds of willingness. Conclusions: Only about half of PCPs surveyed were willing to continue HT for transgender patients. Our study indicates that both personal and clinical factors play a role. Future research should address ways to increase PCPs' willingness and comfort related to continuing HT for transgender patients.
Authors: Anita Vasudevan; Antonio D García; Bethany G Hart; Tiffany B Kindratt; Patti Pagels; Venetia Orcutt; Tad Campbell; Mariana Carrillo; May Lau Journal: J Community Health Date: 2022-08-24
Authors: Arjee J Restar; Aaron S Breslow; Harry Jin; Ma Irene Quilantang; Olivia Sison; Amiel Nazer Bermudez; Maylin Palatino; Alexander Adia; Susan Cu-Uvin; Don Operario; Jennifer Nazareno Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-03-09 Impact factor: 3.240