Endocrinology Fellows' Perception of Their Confidence and Skill Level in Providing Transgender Healthcare

Abstract

Both educational content and hours devoted to transgender health training of endocrinology fellows are suboptimal. The objective of this study was to assess the perspectives of endocrinology fellows on their training in transgender health. We evaluated the state of comfort and knowledge of transgender healthcare among endocrinology fellows attending Endocrine University. Surveys were administered to fellows before and after their participation in a case-based session on transgender health. The majority of fellows felt that training in transgender health is important (95.9%, 189/197); however, only 58.9% reported inclusion of dedicated transgender content in their training programs. Fellows who had received transgender healthcare education, and those who had seen more transgender patients in their training, were more likely to be confident in treating patients with hormone therapy ( P<.001 and P<.0001, respectively). Following the case-based session, 62.4 % of fellows reported that they would change their practice, 72.8% felt that their comfort level with transgender care had improved, and 91% felt that transgender content such as that provided in the educational session should be mandatory in endocrinology training programs. Methods most desired by fellows to improve their education included lectures from visiting professors (70.3%), participation in elective rotations (62.1%), online training modules (57.9%), and attendance at meetings with transgender topics (57.4%). Transgender health education of U.S. endocrinology fellows is suboptimal. Participation in a case-based session significantly increased the comfort level of endocrinology fellows in key areas of transgender health. Abbreviation: ACGME = Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.