There are a couple of barriers that prevent trans individuals from receiving both routine and gender-affirming care. First, and foremost, doctors appear to suffer from a lack of confidence in regard to the proper care of trans individuals. Secondly, Dr. a small percentage of doctor’s let their personal bias or religious affiliation influence their decision to not treat trans individuals.
Addressing these barriers is essential in opening access to gender-affirming care amongst the LGBQTIA community. Opening access to gender-affirming care is important because it can reduce risk of depression, anxiety, or other disorders that can threaten a patient’s mental well-belling. Additionally, trans individuals will likely feel more comfortable and become more proactive in their healthcare. Despite the benefits, many primary care physicians shy away from providing gender-affirming care because of a lack of training.
The difficulty in trans individuals receiving care is similar to those of other minority groups. For instance, Dr. Hawkins identified that minority males tend to feel that their doctors lack an understanding of them as patients. Virtually, patients felt a disconnect due to cultural differences. Another correlation between the care of trans individuals and minority males was discrimination based on personal bias, whether it be transphobia or racism. However, it is trans individuals suffer a consequence that minority males do not. When trans individuals are denied health care, they are forced to live life as a gender that they do not identify with. Minority males, on the other hand, have the ability to continue to be who they truly are inside and out.
Though the data regarding discrimination in care among trans individuals is not surprising, the main reason behind it is. The fact that medical physicians still lack proper training in dealing with any minority group is shocking and shows a slow progression in medical education. It is clear that tackling health disparities among minority groups will require better education for medical personnel.