Exploring health care experiences of transgender people living in Texas

Abstract

Background: Although the transgender population in the United States is greater than 1.4 million, health care experiences in this group are underaddressed.

Purpose: To explore the health care experiences of transgender people in Texas.

Methods: This was an exploratory, sequential multimethod study. In Phase 1, to identify key health-related topics, a self-selected sample of 14 participants completed an online survey. In Phase 2, the focus was understanding care experiences for 12 participants using audio-recorded interviews and theme identification. NVivo software was used for data management.

Findings: In Phase 1, findings included needing to: educate providers (89%), correct care staff on pronoun use (75%), tolerate staff's refusal to use one's preferred pronoun (50%). In Phase 2, four themes emerged: discrimination, provider practices, challenges to navigating the health care system, and gender identity.

Discussion: Valuing transgender experiences is a first step in addressing care gaps. Change will require provider introspection and application of care guidelines.

Keywords: Multimethod; Policy; Qualitative descriptive; Transgender health care.