Primary care physicians are learning how to fill the gaps in gender-affirming medicine

Evaluating Primary Care Clinicians for Gender-Affirming Care

When meeting primary care physicians for the first time, Harrison conducts an eye contact test to assess their acceptance of transgender individuals. Living in the mountains of North Carolina, finding an accepting clinician can be challenging. Harrison has experienced being ignored by doctors who never respond to his follow-up calls or messages. He compares the process to dating, emphasizing the difficulty of finding a compatible healthcare provider.

Challenges in Accessing Gender-Affirming Care

Even when Harrison does find a primary care clinician who accepts his gender identity, they often lack knowledge on providing affirming care, such as prescribing testosterone. As a healthcare worker himself, Harrison is cautious about his medication and stopped taking hormones for six months after moving to North Carolina due to the lack of knowledgeable clinicians. He emphasizes the need for professional understanding and expertise when prescribing medication.

The State of Gender-Affirming Care in the U.S.

Gender-affirming care is facing challenges across the United States. In some states, it is banned for minors and restricted for adults. In cities and states with more inclusive policies, there are long wait times for patients seeking gender-affirming care. Delays in accessing medication, especially controlled substances like testosterone, pose risks to individuals relying on hormone therapy. Testosterone and estrogen are used to alter physical characteristics, such as voice deepening and body hair growth.

Educating Physicians on Gender-Affirming Care

Primary care clinics are increasingly integrating gender-affirming practices, according to Alex Keuroghlian, director of the division of education and training at The Fenway Institute. Keuroghlian highlights the importance of a champion within an organization to initiate education and training. Raquel Selcer, a resident at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, created a pilot program to educate physicians on gender-affirming care after observing the need for such services. The program focuses on providing information on medical basics, respecting pronouns, and creating a safe environment for patients.

Creating Safe Spaces for Trans Patients

Medical schools and residency programs are gradually incorporating transgender health into their curricula, driven by students and trainees like Selcer. However, attacks on trans people across the country may hinder progress in medical training and integration of gender-affirming care into primary care. Despite potential limitations, basic education on gender issues and creating inclusive spaces can significantly impact trans patients’ well-being and encourage regular primary care appointments.

Trans individuals continue to search for care, often facing long wait times and limited access to gender-affirming services. While Harrison found a practice willing to see trans patients, he still relies on telemedicine for hormone prescriptions. He emphasizes the importance of coordination between providers to monitor the effects of hormone therapy.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines.
• Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
• Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce, and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
• Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms.

Analysis

1. The SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

2. Specific targets under those SDGs based on the article’s content are:

– Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage and access to quality essential healthcare services.

– Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against women and girls.

– Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all.

– Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice for all.

3. Indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets are:

– Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services.

– Indicator 5.1.1: Legal frameworks promoting equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex.

– Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities.

– Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence who reported their victimization to competent authorities.

4. Table presenting the findings:

| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |

|——|———|————|

| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines. | Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services. |

| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. | Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce, and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex. |

| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities. |

| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms. |

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: statnews.com

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