Experiences of Australian transgender, gender-diverse and non-binary patients accessing and receiving gender-affirming care
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: IT IS ESTIMATED that between at least 64,000 and 96,000 young Australians aged between 15 and 24 years might identify as transgender.1 A recent systematic review of the literature demonstrated gender-affirming hormone therapy improves psychological wellbeing and quality of life in transgender individuals; 2 however, gender-affirming hormone therapy can be difficult for patients to access.[3][4][5] Many young transgender, gender-diverse and non-binary (TGDNB) people report negative experiences with health professionals, including transphobic comments and refusal to provide care.[4][5][6][7] Although general practitioners (GPs) can provide gender-affirming care (GAC) to adult patients under an informed consent model of care, 8,9 it is often still provided in specialist services by endocrinologists or sexual health physicians.As more TGDNB patients seek GAC, 10 it is important for Australian GPs to understand the barriers and facilitators these patients experience when accessing healthcare within general practice and when seeking referral to specialist services.It is also important to increase GP awareness of the services that are available, and ensure that GPs can access referral pathways and partner with specialist services to provide more holistic care.When TGDNB patients experience insensitive care from healthcare professionals, they are less likely to access all forms of healthcare.A national survey found that when TGDNB patients face gender insensitivities from healthcare professionals, this limits their uptake of healthcare, including mental healthcare, GAC and testing for sexually transmitted infections.3 It is therefore important that all healthcare professionals are respectful of gender-diverse patients and aware of simple strategies that can be helpful, such as asking for pronouns, preferred names and simple inclusive signage in practice spaces.In June 2019, a multidisciplinary, adult GAC service was commenced at an urban sexual health clinic (SHC), using a model of informed consent.Holistic GAC was provided by doctors, nurses, counsellors, psychologists and a dietitian.The service also has access to other specialties onsite, on a consulting basis.
Authors: Mary Stewart, Aman Bedi, Dash Gray, Joseph Cotter, Catriona Ooi
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4408245067