Affirming Care is not enough!
While being a trans-affirming provider is vital for creating a supportive and inclusive healthcare environment, it may not be sufficient on its own. Here are some reasons why:
Affirming care is just the first step:
While it is important to be affirming in the care of transgender and gender non-conforming patients, it is only the first step. Providers need to take the next step and educate themselves on transgender issues and their medical and mental health care.
Not staying informed can cause trauma:
Just being affirming and not taking the steps to be educated, informed, and up-to-date on current issues can result in significant gaps in care. When patients feel providers are not informed they lose faith in their providers.
Competence in Transgender Healthcare: Transgender individuals often have unique healthcare needs related to gender transition, mental health, and other aspects of their well-being. A provider needs to be knowledgeable and competent in addressing these specific needs to provide quality care.
Understanding Intersectionality: Transgender individuals may face intersecting forms of discrimination and bias, such as racism, ableism, or socioeconomic disparities. A truly inclusive healthcare provider should be aware of these intersectionalities and work to address them.
Affirmative Care Practices: It's not just about being affirming in words; it's about implementing affirmative care practices. This includes using correct pronouns, respecting chosen names, and avoiding assumptions about a person's gender identity.
Cultural Competence: Cultural competence goes beyond affirming attitudes. It involves understanding and respecting the cultural context of transgender individuals. This includes familiarity with different gender identities and expressions, as well as awareness of the challenges specific to the transgender community.
Mental Health Support: Transgender individuals may experience higher rates of mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. A provider should be equipped to offer mental health support and be sensitive to the unique stressors that transgender individuals may face.
Access to Gender-Affirming Care: Being a trans-affirming provider may also involve facilitating access to gender-affirming care, which may include hormone therapy or gender confirmation surgeries. Providers should be knowledgeable about these options and be able to guide their patients appropriately.
Advocacy and Allyship: Beyond individual care, providers can play a role in advocating for transgender rights and challenging systemic barriers that affect the community. Being an ally involves actively working towards creating a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.
Staying up-to-date on evidence:
Evidence in health care is always changing.
It is vital for providers caring for transgender clients to be up to date on issues affecting their clients.
In summary, while affirming attitudes are a crucial foundation, it's essential for healthcare providers to go beyond mere affirmation and actively educate themselves, advocate for their patients, and create an inclusive and competent healthcare environment for transgender individuals.
Many providers who take an active role in their growth, education, and support of transgender issues are members of WPATH and are listed in their directory.
WPATH- The World Professional Association for Transgender Health
