Is Health Care Failing Transgender Patients?

Eek, these are some scary statistics if accurate.  The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association released a study, based on the survey responses of more than 90 hospitals and 70 health clinics in the United States, on the care provided to LGBT patients, and the findings show an epidemic of insufficient care for transgender patients.

Of the more than 90 hospitals and 70 outpatient clinics that responded, only 7% had non-discrimination policies that included gender identity and expression.  And the meaning behind this?  Well, as Gay and Lesbian Medical Association President-Elect Rebecca A. Allison said, "This means that in the other 93%, a transgender patient may be addressed by an incorrect name or incorrect pronouns, perhaps even placed in a room with other patients of their birth gender."

And that's only the tip of the iceberg.  Statistics like this also fuel the fact that LGBT patients are often times less likely to be open with their health care providers for fear of discrimination or mistreatment, which can lead to all sorts of problems, from missed opportunities to deal directly with illness, misdiagnosis, and an overall inability to deliver quality care.

The solution?  Well, as Dr. Allison said, "A clearly stated policy that forbids discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression is an important first step in encouraging openness, and in creating a climate for delivery of quality care. Transgender patients face health care discrimination every day -- a fact that makes the disparities identified...a call to action."

The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association offers a "Health Care Provider Guide for Creating a Welcoming Environment" for LGBT patients, that can be part of the first step for a Clinic to address head-on the issues facing LGBT health care.