Purpose: To evaluate OB/Gyn provider knowledge and comfort with
transgender health care
Background: Transgender and gender non-conforming patients (TGNC)
are an underserved population that often encounters inadequate or ‘unsafe’
clinical care. Education regarding TGNC patient care has traditionally been
minimal, contributing to gaps in Ob/Gyn care for many of these individuals,
including transgender men.
Methods: An IRB approved, anonymous online non-validated survey
was emailed to 130 APGO program coordinators to distribute to their Ob/Gyn
faculty and post-graduate learners. Questions addressed included years of
practice, experience with TGNC patients, provider comfort, and TGNC education.
Results: One hundred and sixty four surveys were completed and
an additional ~50 were opened but no information was provided. Of the 164
completed surveys, 76.3% of participants reported less than 5 hours of TGNC
specific healthcare education, despite the fact that 75.7% of responders had
cared for at least one TGNC patient. Overall most respondents felt
comfortable/very comfortable (79.8%) caring for this population. No correlation
was found between years in practice and overall provider comfort caring for
TGNC patients. Major obstacles reported by participants included concern
for patient comfort, appropriate language, and lack of sufficient clinical
education for both providers and support staff
Discussions: These data suggest that enhanced TGNC clinical education for
the entire health care team is warranted.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2019, Student, Resident, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Clerkship Coordinator, Osteopathic Faculty, Residency Director, Residency Coordinator, Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Professionalism, GME, Advocacy,
Ashley Chiarappa,
MD, Rutgers
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Gloria
Bachmann, MD;
Amanda Francis,
DO, MPH ; Julia
Zheng
