Kathrine Kelly-Schuette1, Andrea Little2, Alan T Davis3, Francis Kwabena Mensah4, Gerald Paul Wright1,5. 1. Spectrum Health General Surgery Residency, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. 2. Spectrum Health Plastic Surgery Residency, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. 3. Spectrum Health Office of Research, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. 4. Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. 5. Spectrum Health Medical Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.
Abstract
Purpose: Approximately 1.4 million adults identify as transgender in the United States. Transgender patients face societal, legal, and medical discrimination that can lead to health disparities. The objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge and perceptions of transgender health care across various levels of medical training and specialties. Methods: Between April 1, 2019 and May 1, 2019, an anonymous survey was distributed to residents and attendings, in both medical and surgical specialties, at a university-affiliated hospital. Participants were recruited into the study with survey distribution by email to residency program directors, residents, and residency-affiliated attendings. Results: There was a response rate of 29.5% (118/400). Across all respondents, 34.7%, 31.4%, and 39% knew where to refer transgender patients for hormone replacement, psychotherapy, or surgery, respectively. Only 37.9% of residents and 46.2% of attendings reported that they were confident of providing care for a transgender patient (p=0.130). In addition, less than one-third of surgical respondents reported sufficient knowledge to describe transgender surgery. The most common reasons affecting comfort level when caring for transgender patients were lack of exposure (53.4%) and lack of formal education (47.6%), with other reasons being personal, moral, and religious reasons (11%, 8.5%, and 6.8%, respectively). Conclusion: Despite literature demonstrating the effectiveness of formal didactics and education in transgender health, there remain disparities in the knowledge and comfort of residents and attendings across all specialties. To deliver competent health care to transgender patients, efforts must focus on improving the availability of system-wide resources and educational opportunities for all specialties. Copyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
Purpose: Approximately 1.4 million adults identify as transgender in the United States. Transgender patients face societal, legal, and medical discrimination that can lead to health disparities. The objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge and perceptions of transgender health care across various levels of medical training and specialties. Methods: Between April 1, 2019 and May 1, 2019, an anonymous survey was distributed to residents and attendings, in both medical and surgical specialties, at a university-affiliated hospital. Participants were recruited into the study with survey distribution by email to residency program directors, residents, and residency-affiliated attendings. Results: There was a response rate of 29.5% (118/400). Across all respondents, 34.7%, 31.4%, and 39% knew where to refer transgender patients for hormone replacement, psychotherapy, or surgery, respectively. Only 37.9% of residents and 46.2% of attendings reported that they were confident of providing care for a transgender patient (p=0.130). In addition, less than one-third of surgical respondents reported sufficient knowledge to describe transgender surgery. The most common reasons affecting comfort level when caring for transgender patients were lack of exposure (53.4%) and lack of formal education (47.6%), with other reasons being personal, moral, and religious reasons (11%, 8.5%, and 6.8%, respectively). Conclusion: Despite literature demonstrating the effectiveness of formal didactics and education in transgender health, there remain disparities in the knowledge and comfort of residents and attendings across all specialties. To deliver competent health care to transgender patients, efforts must focus on improving the availability of system-wide resources and educational opportunities for all specialties. Copyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.
Entities:
Keywords:
gender-affirming surgical care; health education/training programs; surgery; transgender
Authors: Shane D Morrison; Geolani W Dy; H Jonathan Chong; Sarah K Holt; Nicholas B Vedder; Mathew D Sorensen; Byron D Joyner; Jeffrey B Friedrich Journal: J Grad Med Educ Date: 2017-04
Authors: Nicole L Nisly; Katherine L Imborek; Michelle L Miller; Nancy Dole; Jacob B Priest; Leonard Sandler; Matthew D Krasowski; Maia Hightower Journal: Clin Obstet Gynecol Date: 2018-12 Impact factor: 2.190
Authors: Wylie C Hembree; Peggy T Cohen-Kettenis; Louis Gooren; Sabine E Hannema; Walter J Meyer; M Hassan Murad; Stephen M Rosenthal; Joshua D Safer; Vin Tangpricha; Guy G T'Sjoen Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2017-11-01 Impact factor: 5.958