Presenter Status
Fellow
Abstract Type
Research
Primary Mentor
Sarah Tsai, MD
Start Date
14-5-2021 11:30 AM
End Date
14-5-2021 1:30 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Description
Background: Transgender individuals have health disparities compared to the general population and face several barriers to medical care. Prior studies indicate physician knowledge on transgender topics is poor and that transphobia is associated with poor knowledge even after educational interventions. Objectives/Goal: We sought to examine pediatric residents’ attitudes about transgender individuals and assess concerns related to the treatment of transgender youth. Methods: A survey was sent to 89 US Pediatric and combined (e.g. Med-Peds) residency programs and advertised on social media. Approximately 32 programs forwarded the survey to an estimated 1325 residents; 138 residents completed it. The survey consisted of demographics, experiences, the Transgender Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (TABS), and questions specific to management of transgender youth. Results: The median transgender-focused education in medical school and residency was 2 hours, with 33.5% reporting none. In general, respondents had favorable attitudes (i.e. higher scores) on the TABS. Median (range, possible range) score on the Interpersonal Comfort subscale was 92 (47-98, 14-98), on the Human Value subscale 35 (27-35, 5-35), and on the Sex/Gender Beliefs subscale 61 (20-70, 10-70). For pediatric specific questions, 98% of respondents disagreed that supporting a transgender identity was child abuse and 85% disagreed that being transgender was a phase. For therapies of individuals less than age 18, 92% of respondents supported a social transition (i.e. no medications), 75% supported pubertal suppression, 67% supported gender affirming hormones, 51% supported ‘top’ surgery (e.g. mastectomy), and 48% supported ‘bottom’ surgery (e.g. phalloplasty, gonadectomy). About half of respondents indicated their knowledge about therapy was a barrier to providing good care, and 32% expressed concerns about parental objection to care. Conclusions: Overall, this study highlights that pediatric residents do not have significant transphobia, but there remains a significant need for transgender curricular in medical school and residency programs, particularly as the number of transgender youth seeking care continues to increase.
MeSH Keywords
gender dysphoria; gender identity; graduate medical education; children
Additional Files
Attitudes of Pediatric Residents in the Care of Transgender Youth.pdf (211 kB)Abstract
Attitudes of Pediatric Residents in the Care of Transgender Youth
Background: Transgender individuals have health disparities compared to the general population and face several barriers to medical care. Prior studies indicate physician knowledge on transgender topics is poor and that transphobia is associated with poor knowledge even after educational interventions. Objectives/Goal: We sought to examine pediatric residents’ attitudes about transgender individuals and assess concerns related to the treatment of transgender youth. Methods: A survey was sent to 89 US Pediatric and combined (e.g. Med-Peds) residency programs and advertised on social media. Approximately 32 programs forwarded the survey to an estimated 1325 residents; 138 residents completed it. The survey consisted of demographics, experiences, the Transgender Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (TABS), and questions specific to management of transgender youth. Results: The median transgender-focused education in medical school and residency was 2 hours, with 33.5% reporting none. In general, respondents had favorable attitudes (i.e. higher scores) on the TABS. Median (range, possible range) score on the Interpersonal Comfort subscale was 92 (47-98, 14-98), on the Human Value subscale 35 (27-35, 5-35), and on the Sex/Gender Beliefs subscale 61 (20-70, 10-70). For pediatric specific questions, 98% of respondents disagreed that supporting a transgender identity was child abuse and 85% disagreed that being transgender was a phase. For therapies of individuals less than age 18, 92% of respondents supported a social transition (i.e. no medications), 75% supported pubertal suppression, 67% supported gender affirming hormones, 51% supported ‘top’ surgery (e.g. mastectomy), and 48% supported ‘bottom’ surgery (e.g. phalloplasty, gonadectomy). About half of respondents indicated their knowledge about therapy was a barrier to providing good care, and 32% expressed concerns about parental objection to care. Conclusions: Overall, this study highlights that pediatric residents do not have significant transphobia, but there remains a significant need for transgender curricular in medical school and residency programs, particularly as the number of transgender youth seeking care continues to increase.
