Knowledge of transgender and gender-diverse healthcare among resident physicians: A study in a northeastern Brazilian tertiary hospital

TL;DR

Medical residents in northeastern Brazil show interest in transgender healthcare but lack specific knowledge and training.

Contribution

The study reveals gaps in knowledge and education among medical residents regarding transgender and gender-diverse healthcare.

Findings

Most residents consider TGD healthcare important but lack prior education.

Residents in gynecology, obstetrics, and endocrinology had higher education rates on TGD care.

Many residents are unsure where to refer TGD patients for specialized care.

Abstract

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) refers to people whose gender identity
does not correspond to the sex assigned to them at birth. This study
evaluated the knowledge of medical residents at a tertiary hospital in
northeastern Brazil regarding healthcare for the TGD population.

This cross-sectional, single-center observational study surveyed medical
residents at a tertiary hospital in northeastern Brazil in 2023. It utilized
a self-developed online questionnaire, which residents completed voluntarily
and anonymously. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analyses, and
multivariate logistic regression were applied to the data.

A total of 107 residents completed the questionnaire (40.83% of the eligible
cohort); most were clinicians (69.15%). All participants identified as
cisgender. Nearly all participants considered it important to understand
healthcare for TGD patients. About half reported prior education on the
topic; gynecology, obstetrics, and endocrinology residents (specialists)
demonstrated the highest rates (p = 0.0009). Approximately 40% of the
participants were unaware of where to refer TGD people for specialized care
in hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries (p = 0.007). Lack of
experience (p = 0.002) was the primary reason among the 30 residents who
felt insecure about providing healthcare to TGD patients.

Residents acknowledge the importance of this field in their practice but
demonstrate a lack of specific knowledge and prior education.

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