Factors affecting communication between transgender and non-binary individuals and general practitioners: Recommendations for inclusive interactions

Abstract

Research shows that transgender and non-binary (TNB) individuals frequently experience discrimination and mistreatment in health care settings. These negative experiences cause TNB people to underutilize health care and, when they do utilize it, may affect communication of health information. Moving from social cognitive theory (SCT) and theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study investigated what factors influence pre-, during, and post physician visit communication between TNB individuals and general practitioners (GPs) in the Netherlands. Between March and May 2022, fifteen TNB individuals and ten GPs participated in semi-structured interviews and focus groups about their experiences with GP-TNB interactions. The findings suggest that GPs addressing TNB people, GP knowledge and education, GP office procedures and environment, and social environment (in)directly facilitate or hamper communication. These findings support previous ideas about the influence of factors such as knowledge and social environment on one's behavior, as previously described in SCT and TPB. They also add and specify how pre-determined and novel factors affect whether TNB people feel welcome and comfortable at GP offices and if GPs feel equipped to provide TNB people with quality care. More specifically, to facilitate appropriate health communication, GPs are advised to ask patients about their pronouns, adjust intake forms, and put up TNB-specific posters or a Pride flag in their offices. TNB people are advised to make an introductory appointment to discuss their gender identity. Lastly, TNB topics should be included in medical curricula and online GP resources.