RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Health professionals’ identified barriers to trans healthcare: a qualitative interview study
JF British Journal of General Practice
JO Br J Gen Pract
FD British Journal of General Practice
SP BJGP.2021.0179
DO 10.3399/BJGP.2021.0179
A1 Magdalena Mikulak
A1 Sara Ryan
A1 Richard Ma
A1 Sam Martin
A1 Jay Stewart
A1 Sarah Davidson
A1 Melissa Stepney
YR 2021
UL http://bjgp.org/content/early/2021/06/15/BJGP.2021.0179.abstract
AB Background: Trans people face multiple barriers within healthcare. Primary care practitioners are key to trans healthcare but they often lack training in, and understanding of trans identities, and healthcare options. Few studies have examined health professionals’ understanding of the barriers that exist in healthcare for trans people. Aim: To map out barriers to providing good quality healthcare to trans and gender diverse people and ways to address them. Design and setting: A qualitative interview study involving 20 health professionals working with trans and gender diverse people. Method: Participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were generated using semi-structured qualitative interviews. A thematic analysis involved coding and categorising data using Nvivo software and further conceptual analysis in which developing themes were identified. Results: The study identified four barrier domains to good quality care for trans and gender diverse people: structural (related to lack of guidelines, long waiting times, shortage of specialist centres), educational (based on lack of training on trans health), cultural and social (reflecting negative attitudes towards trans people) and technical (related to information systems and technology). Conclusion: There is an urgent need to address the barriers trans and gender diverse people face in healthcare. Structural level solutions include health policy, professional education and standards; at the practice level, GPs can act as potential drivers of change in addressing the cultural and technical barriers to better meet the needs of their trans and gender diverse patients.