# 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.

## Key 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.