Are Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents Equipped to Care for Transgender Patients? A National Survey Study [04G

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Obstetricians and gynecologists (OB-GYNs) play an important role in the medical and surgical management of transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) patients. Our study aims to assess three self-reported outcomes: (1) comfort, (2) competency, and (3) curricular satisfaction of OB-GYN residents in TGNC care topics. METHODS: Our survey tool consisted of thirty questions on a 4-point Likert scale and was distributed electronically by program coordinators. The survey tool was deemed exempt by the Northwell Health Institutional Review Board. Descriptive statistics and Kruskal-Wallis test by ranks were performed using SPSS 26.0. RESULTS: One-hundred and six surveys were completed by OB-GYN residents (response rate=12.0%). Composite mean scores were calculated in the three self-reported outcome domains: comfort (2.8±0.7), competency (2.7±0.6), and satisfaction (2.4±0.7). No statistically significant difference in comfort, competency, and satisfaction scores between residency training level was observed. Male residents were more likely (χ2(1)=5.285, P=.022) to have higher self-reported competency scores than female residents (3.0±0.7 versus 2.5±0.6, respectively). LGBTQ residents were more likely (χ2(1)=5.509, P=.019) to have higher self-reported comfort scores than those who identified as heterosexual (3.1±0.6 versus 2.7±0.7, respectively). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the comfort, competency, and satisfaction of OB-GYN residents in TGNC care topics. Residents reported being more competent and comfortable than satisfied, which suggests that further curricular and clinical exposure is necessary to address the unique healthcare needs of this underserved patient population and to meet the educational needs of residents. LGBTQ residents may be able to share knowledge with peers to increase heterosexual residents’ comfort.