Integrating Transgender Medicine Curriculum in Medical Laboratory Sciences

Abstract

Abstract Introduction/Objective Transgender, non-binary, and other gender-diverse individuals experience poor health outcomes as a result of discrimination in health care settings. In order to develop a competent and knowledgeable workforce, a curriculum that will promote the understanding of the health needs of patients with gender incongruence is imperative. Developing a curriculum and its integration into medical laboratory science will increase competency and develop a knowledgeable and culturally-competent workforce of medical laboratory professionals. Methods/Case Report To increase the competency of medical laboratory professionals, a 2-part training program will be developed to help address medical laboratory professionals' healthcare encounters with persons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI). The curriculum developed will help learners understand the effects of gender-affirming care as it relates to laboratory medicine. Curriculum Outline Sex and Gender Orientation Historical Perspectives in Transgender Health Epidemiology and Health Outcomes of Transgender Patients Transgender Medicine Transgender Medicine in Medical Laboratory Sciences. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) NA Conclusion Future considerations related to the development of a curriculum to understand the effects of transgender medicine in medical laboratory sciences will include Increased awareness of transgender medicine for all levels of laboratory staff. Ability to understand the needs of the patient population and be patient advocates to improve health outcomes. Understand the physiologic effects of gender-affirming care and its impact on medical lab tests. Determine inadequacies in an institution and help develop processes to help improve data collection important to understand the health care needs of demographic. Update the knowledge base of practitioners to further enhance laboratory services and promote healthcare equity.