The Vital Importance of Gender-Affirming Care in Medicine

The Power of Pronouns

A small pink pin, a simple question: "What are your pronouns?" This seemingly minor gesture holds immense power, signaling respect and recognition for a patient's identity. For transgender and nonbinary individuals, these few seconds can transform a clinical encounter from one fraught with anxiety and dysphoria to one of safety and validation. Sadly, this experience isn't the norm, highlighting the urgent need for widespread training in gender-affirming care.

While asking for pronouns is a powerful starting point, embracing gender-affirming language, which includes using chosen names, is crucial for creating a positive healthcare experience. This simple act can drastically reduce the likelihood of patients delaying necessary care in the future.

The Devastating Impact of Discrimination

The consequences of misgendering and deadnaming (using a person's former name) are far-reaching and deeply damaging. Imagine the emotional toll of being consistently denied your true self in a vulnerable setting. These experiences contribute to long-term anxiety, intensify gender dysphoria, and undermine trust in the healthcare system. A 2020 study revealed the alarming statistic that nearly half of transgender adults reported mistreatment or discrimination from healthcare professionals, with a third experiencing intentional misgendering or deadnaming.

What is Gender-Affirming Care?

Gender-affirming care, as defined by the World Health Organization, encompasses a spectrum of interventions—social, psychological, behavioral, and medical—that support an individual's gender identity. This can range from counseling and support groups to hormone therapies and surgeries. While certain interventions are specific to certain medical specialties, the fundamental principle of using affirming language is applicable across all areas of healthcare.

Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Medical Education

Despite growing recognition of its importance, gender-affirming care remains inadequately addressed in medical education. A 2011 study revealed a shockingly low average of just five hours dedicated to LGBTQ+ health topics in American and Canadian medical schools. This lack of training leaves many providers ill-equipped to provide competent and compassionate care to their queer and trans patients.

While organizations like the American Medical Association have encouraged more comprehensive LGBTQ+ health curricula, progress has been slow and inconsistent. Factors such as faculty knowledge gaps, political pressures, and administrative resistance have hindered widespread adoption of these vital teachings.

Political Challenges and the Path Forward

The political landscape, particularly during the Trump administration's rollback of LGBTQ+ protections, further complicated the integration of gender-affirming care. The chilling effect of these political actions created a climate of fear and uncertainty within medical institutions.

However, the undeniable health benefits of gender-affirming care must outweigh any perceived discomfort or political pressure. Medical schools have a responsibility to prioritize the well-being of their patients, and that includes ensuring all providers are trained to deliver culturally competent and inclusive care.

A Small Change, a Big Impact

Even seemingly small changes, like asking for pronouns, can significantly improve the healthcare experiences of transgender and nonbinary patients. By fostering trust and respect, healthcare providers can encourage continued engagement with the medical system and ultimately improve health outcomes for this vulnerable population. Incorporating gender-affirming care into medical education is not just about providing better care for individual patients—it's about dismantling systemic discrimination and creating a more equitable and just healthcare system for all.

About the Author: Kelly Goonan (she/her) is a first-year MPH student passionate about LGBTQ+ healthcare.