ABSTRACT
Purpose of Review: This paper synthesizes current knowledge regarding telehealth and the impact of the SARS-COV2 pandemic on transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients. We discuss the benefits and challenges of telehealth for patients, providers, and trainees. Recent Findings: Mental health of TGD populations has been disproportionately challenged in the context of SARS-COV2, and telehealth interventions focused on gender affirmation and mental health are desired and acceptable by TGD populations. Summary: Telehealth in the era of SARS-COV-2 has a mixed impact on TGD patients and families, increasing access, decreasing travel time, and allowing for comfort and safety during care while also leaving gaps in care for patients without web/phone access and/or without a confidential place to participate in appointments, or to manage health concerns that require in-person evaluation. Providers have benefitted from the ability to reach TGD patients that are far from practice sites and to provide remote consultation for procedures and other interventions. Trainees have challenges as a result of telehealth practice which can impair the ability to learn in-person care, but have benefitted from remote training opportunities, including surgical training. Alterations in compensation structures have allowed sustainable telehealth practice to be an option for providers and health systems. As telehealth evolves, quality improvement and research efforts aimed at resolving known challenges and expanding beneficial uses of telehealth should consistently include and consider not only the beneficiaries of telehealth but also those who may struggle with access.
ABSTRACT
Deaths from COVID-19 continue to rise, and this virus has asymmetric impacts on marginalized communities though specific impacts on sexual and gender minority communities are not well understood. From March 23 to June 20, 2020, in an online cross-sectional survey among 1380 US adults, we assessed physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, rumination, and perceived social support in order to describe differences between sexual and gender minority (n = 290) and cisgender heterosexual (n = 1090) respondents. Sexual and gender minority respondents had more frequent COVID-19-associated physical symptoms and depression and anxiety symptoms. Sexual and gender minorities had a significantly higher proportion of depression and anxiety scores exceeding the clinical concern threshold. Longitudinal studies on the physical and psychological impacts of COVID-19 among sexual and gender minority communities are needed to inform interventions to eliminate these disparities.