Attitude to Transgender People in Healthcare Facilities
Gender nonconforming and transgender people face discrimination in almost every sphere of human activity. When this discrimination occurs in the framework of health care provision, it has a negative impact on the access of these groups to primary care. This discrimination and stigma originate not only from negative past experience, but also from the role of medicine in the provision of treatment of transitioning, the use of medical language that describes these groups, and the development of diagnoses to give access to the treatment (Safer et al., 2016).
According to the studies, identity, disclosure, the state of transition, and experience are connected with the postponement because of discrimination. In addition, this postponement, which is connected with health insurance and the problem of seeking care, aggravates discrimination, thereby decreasing the level of affordability to medicine. Therefore, in order to improve access to primary care for people of all gender variations, it is imperative to reconsider the existing research practices and the strategies of providing healthcare, thereby making sure that it is adjusted to every individual’s perspective relating to bigger social processes (Cruz, 2014).
Despite the statements made by many organizations and the U.S. government concerning transgender people, the majority of them continue to have difficulties with obtaining competent healthcare devoid of discriminating issues. The inequality in healthcare regarding transgender people is recognized but is slowly addressed. However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has introduced initiatives to improve the wellbeing and healthcare of transgender communities (Jaffee, Shires, & Stroumsa, 2016). Furthermore, the improvement of the health and safety of transgender people is one of the goals of Healthy People 2020.
Barriers to Healthcare for Transgender People
In general, there are many barriers that prevent transgender individuals from receiving good primary care. The largest barrier to appropriate medical care is the lack of access to it. Despite the current data regarding the support of transgender medicine, the patients complain about the lack of healthcare professionals with knowledge and experience in treating transgender representatives. Indeed, transgender medicine is not taught in traditional medical curricula (Cruz, 2014). Therefore, very few physicians have enough theoretical knowledge to treat such people.
Other barriers for transgender individuals include the lack of cultural competence of healthcare professionals, the lack of financial support (primarily in terms of health insurance), various socioeconomic barriers such as housing and transportation, and different barriers in health systems such as inappropriate lab references, forms, electronic records, and others (Redfern & Sinclair, 2014). Some of these barriers pertain to other minority groups, but still, the majority of them are peculiar only to transgender people.
Strategies to Improve Healthcare for Transgender People
Healthcare professionals, policymakers, and healthcare educators play a crucial role in eliminating disparities in the process of treatment. In order to address the healthcare needs of transgender people, healthcare providers have to improve knowledge, communication skills, and attitudes, and increase their receptivity and awareness to this stratum of society (Jaffee et al., 2016). Thus, currently, there are several opportunities for health communicators to play a key role in the improvement of communication between a patient and a doctor and be part of a general strategy to help eliminate discrimination and the barriers for transgender people.
The current programs aimed at improving healthcare for transgender representatives include a variety of strategies that will undoubtedly be effective. First of all, several modifications in the overall environment of medical institutions are an important aspect. For example, reading materials and posters in waiting rooms should contain some information relevant to transgender people (Cruz, 2014). In addition, the introduction of gender-neutral bathrooms at hospitals is an important issue to consider.
Regarding medical documentation, all healthcare providers should try to use the correct pronoun reflecting the self-proclaimed identity of a patient. When taking a medical history of a transgender patient, healthcare providers should communicate with them in a way that they do with other gender identities, namely, with a neutral tone and without any signs of reproaches or negative judgments. Otherwise, the trust between a transgender patient and a doctor will be undermined. Additionally, after numerous negative encounters with healthcare providers in the past, many transgender representatives are reluctant to reveal the personal information needed for proper healthcare fearing rejection, denial of care, and discrimination (Redfern & Sinclair, 2014). Thus, it is imperative for healthcare providers to establish good communication with transgender people.
Another important element that should be taken into account is confidentiality. In this respect, healthcare providers should ensure transgender patients that their personal information is confidential and will not be revealed without their consent (Redfern & Sinclair, 2014). The next important point is that healthcare staff should be acquainted with new anti-discrimination laws and strictly follow them when dealing with transgender patients. Finally, the problem of health insurance for transgender patients must be resolved. Although the American Medical Association denies the restriction of health insurance on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation, this type of discrimination is still in effect. However, the Affordable Care Act 2014 significantly improved the situation with health insurance for transgender people (Safer et al., 2016). However, there is quite a long road to the complete eradication of gender discrimination.
References
Cruz, T. M. (2014). Assessing access to care for transgender and gender nonconforming people: A consideration of diversity in combating discrimination. Social Science & Medicine, 110(1), 65-73.
Jaffee, K. D., Shires, D. A., & Stroumsa, D. (2016). Discrimination and delayed health care among transgender women and men: Implications for improving medical education and health care delivery. Medical Care, 54(11), 1010-1016.
Redfern, J. S., & Sinclair, B. (2014). Improving health care encounters and communication with transgender patients. Journal of Communication in Healthcare, 7(1), 25-40.
Safer, J. D., Coleman, E., Feldman, J., Garofalo, R., Hembree, W., Radix, A., & Sevelius, J. (2016). Barriers to healthcare for transgender individuals. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity, 23(2), 168-171.