Internal Medicine Resident Attitudes, Prior Education, Comfort, and Knowledge Regarding Delivering Comprehensive Primary Care to Transgender Patients

Transgender patients face a multitude of health disparities and often a lack of understanding by healthcare professionals. A survey was undertaken of internal medicine residents in a large urban academic training program to determine prior education, attitudes, comfort, and knowledge in providing care for transgender individuals in a primary care setting. Total N=67 respondents (52% of those eligible). A full 97% of residents believe transgender medical issues are relevant to their practice, but only 45% had prior education about the care of transgender patients. Less than one-third of respondents felt comfortable describing hormonal/surgical therapy options or referring to another physician to meet these patient needs. HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia risk was underestimated for the trans woman population. Most medical residents did not feel up to date with screening guidelines. In contrast, most residents correctly identified higher rates of depression/suicidality in transgender individuals, as well as lower adherence to human papillomavirus screening recommendations for trans men.