Trends in transgender healthcare curricula in graduate medical education

Abstract

Background Recent studies have shown deficiencies in resident knowledge concerning transgender healthcare. However, there has not been an updated survey examining transgender healthcare training by medical residency directors. We assessed whether accredited residency programs in the United States and Canada were providing education on the healthcare needs of transgender patients. Methods We performed an exploratory descriptive survey study in 2022 of residency programs in the United States and Canada to assess residency education on transgender health using program directors listed in the website directory of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Results Out of 1680 residency program directors, 160 programs responded (response rate, 10%). Among the residency programs, education in transgender health was taught periodically throughout the curriculum (52.5%), in discrete modules (34.4%), or not taught at all (10.6%). However, 60% of residency program directors who responded reported that their program lacked any clinical rotation in which residents directly work with transgender patients. The most common areas of transgender care omitted from residency education on transgender health were barriers associated with chronic illness and mental health. Conclusion There remains a need for robust transgender medical training in residency programs through clinical rotations on transgender health.