Recommendations from Transgender Healthcare Consumers in Rural Areas.

Douglas Knutson,Tori Arthur,Julie M Koch,Travis A Mitchell,Meredith A Martyr

doi:10.1089/trgh.2017.0052

Abstract

Purpose: Scholars indicate that rates of mental and physical health issues (e.g., substance use, anxiety, depression) may be much higher among transgender individuals relative to the general population. This disparity may be even greater for transgender individuals in rural areas. Clinical researchers suggest using affirmative therapeutic approaches and interventions to address the health concerns of transgender individuals, specifically to connect individuals with the transgender community. However, little is known about the content of information that is shared in transgender communities in rural areas.Method: For this qualitative study, researchers asked transgender individuals in rural areas (n=10) what recommendations they would offer to other transgender individuals in rural areas regarding healthcare access.Results: Results were organized into four domains: Access care, Quality control, Difficulties, and Mentorship. Within these domains, we identified 11 sub-domains: Get physical healthcare, Get mental healthcare, Provider search, Provider vetting, Treatment verification, It will be difficult, Know who you are, Believe in yourself, Move, Connect to community, and Other.Conclusions: We discuss implications of our findings for healthcare provision in rural areas, and we provide recommendations for future research.

Highlights

IntroductionTransgender people may avoid seeking mental and physical health services for fear that they will be discriminated against.[7] Though current research tends to focus on urban samples, some scholars have documented challenges faced by transgender people in rural areas when they access healthcare systems.[8] Existing access issues are further complicated by the fact that transgender affirmative healthcare is relatively new and providers have only recently started to form visible service neworks.[9] Though these groups of competent providers are continuing to expand, a majority of health professionals continue to report inadequate training and/or a lack of awareness of transgender healthcare guidelines.[10,11,12]
As with any population, transgender people rely on medical and mental health services to address physical concerns and psychosocial difficulties.[1,2,3] Throughout, we use transgender to refer to ‘‘a broad array of people’’ who share a ‘‘discordance between their designated sex at birth and their gender identity.’’4 this reliance may be higher given that transgender populations report elevated rates of mental health concerns such as suicidality and depression, relative to their cisgender[1] and lesbian, gay, and bisexual[1] counterparts
Though current research tends to focus on urban samples, some scholars have documented challenges faced by transgender people in rural areas when they access healthcare systems.[8]

Summary

Introduction

Transgender people may avoid seeking mental and physical health services for fear that they will be discriminated against.[7] Though current research tends to focus on urban samples, some scholars have documented challenges faced by transgender people in rural areas when they access healthcare systems.[8] Existing access issues are further complicated by the fact that transgender affirmative healthcare is relatively new and providers have only recently started to form visible service neworks.[9] Though these groups of competent providers are continuing to expand, a majority of health professionals continue to report inadequate training and/or a lack of awareness of transgender healthcare guidelines.[10,11,12]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion