Health practitioner and student attitudes to caring for transgender patients in Tasmania: An exploratory qualitative study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Healthcare practitioners struggle to provide inclusive and affirming care to transgender (trans) people. This study examined Tasmanian healthcare practitioners' and students' understandings and approaches to trans health. METHOD: The study comprised qualitative semi-structured interviews with 17 healthcare practitioners (doctors, psychologists, nurses and other allied health workers) and students (of medicine, nursing and pharmacy) across Tasmania, Australia. Data were analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: The authors identified three key themes: lack of training in trans healthcare, limited resources to support trans patients, and the importance and challenges of trans-inclusive language. DISCUSSION: Healthcare practitioners faced challenges providing inclusive and affirming healthcare for trans people due to limited experience with trans patients, and few educational opportunities and referral pathways to support patients. Healthcare practitioners need better support and resources to improve quality of care.

Tasmanian healthcare professionals' & students' capacity for LGBTI + inclusive care: A qualitative inquiry.

The health disparities and care needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) patients are becoming well known. However, healthcare practitioners (HCPs) and medical students across the Global North report limited understanding of this population and express concern about their capacity to meet the needs of LGBTI + patients. To address these gaps in literature and practice, this study draws on qualitative interviews with 12 clinicians and five health professional students exploring their understandings and approaches to LGBTI + inclusive practice in Tasmania, Australia. Through a reflexive thematic analysis, we identified that both practicing clinicians and students did not believe that their training adequately prepared them to treat LGBTI + patients. Other key barriers included reduced awareness of LGBTI + community needs due to the lack of exposure to LGBTI + patients and unfamiliarity with appropriate referral pathways in the regional Tasmanian context. Conversely, factors enabling provision of LGBTI + inclusive care included prior experience working with LGBTI + patients and establishing a network of supportive colleagues and local services. Participants who identified as LGBTI + themselves saw their personal experiences as a strength in supporting LGBTI + patients. While awareness of LGBTI + inclusive health practice is increasing, Tasmanian practitioners report insufficient training and practical difficulties with referral as key challenges.