Medical attitudes towards transgender patients

Abstract

Background/aims: Those identifying as transgender make up a significant and growing number of individuals. They face discrimination in healthcare and have been known to have adverse physical and mental health outcomes because of stigma. A study was carried out to ascertain how doctors perceive and interact with their transgender patients.

Methods: The attitudes of doctors, working in mental and physical healthcare settings in a borough in south-east England, towards transgender patients were evaluated by administering a standardised questionnaire.

Results: The response rate was 22%. Most doctors who responded had encountered a transgender patient, but consultants were more likely to identify and interact with them comfortably, used their preferred pronouns, and knew about policies relating to their care than trainee doctors.

Conclusions: These findings add to the growing data regarding the perceptions about transgender patients in healthcare settings.

Keywords: Doctors; Healthcare; Stigma; Transgender.