Exploring communication preferences of trans and gender diverse individuals—A qualitative study

Abstract

Background Trans and gender-diverse individuals experience adverse health outcomes that might be due, in addition to other factors, to stigma and discrimination in the health care sector. At the same time, the concept of person-centred care acknowledges the role of patient-physician communication in health care outcomes. This study aims to explore patient-physician communication preferences in trans and gender-diverse individuals. Method A qualitative interview study was conducted, including N = 10 participants between February and March 2022. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guideline, based on previous knowledge in person-centred care and sample specific communication. Participants were asked about their experiences and wishes in patient-physician centeredness. Analyses were conducting using a qualitative content analysis strategy. Results Mean age was 29.3 years; n = 6 participants identified themselves within the binary gender concept, while n = 4 identified themselves with a non-binary gender. Communication preferences for patient-physician communication were categorised into four themes: general communication aspects (e.g. active listening); the role of gender during appointments (e.g. appropriate/inappropriate addressing); gender-neutral language (e.g. experiences use of gender neutral language by physicians); own communication style (e.g. early outing and justification). Furthermore, possible contextual factors of patient-physician communication where found (e.g. trusting relationship). Conclusion Adding knowledge to communication preferences of trans and gender-diverse individuals, this study was able to identify preferences that are specific to the sample as well as preferences that differ from the cis-gendered population. However, it remains unclear how the patient-physician communication preferences affects health care utilization and outcomes. Trial registration German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS00026249).

Health literacy of trans and gender diverse individuals –a cross sectional survey in Germany

“…Thus, it remains unclear if the health literacy of our sample is comparable to the health literacy of the German general population. Yet, the conclusion trans and gender diverse individuals might have a good health literacy as discussed in previous research [ 17 , 18 ] must be rejected. Overall, the results undermine the results of Pho, Bakken [ 11 ], stating the health literacy of trans and gender diverse individuals is limited.…”

“…Yet, little is known about the health literacy of trans and gender diverse individuals, even though trans and gender diverse individuals might need a higher degree of health literacy in order to navigate in a medical system that is based on a binary, biological gender system [ 16 ]. First qualitative studies therefore describe, that trans and gender individuals might have a good health literacy, as the participants themselves reported a good seeking behavior as well appraisal of information [ 17 , 18 ]. On the contrary, one study assessed general health literacy using three single items as well as a validated eHealth literacy scale, and found a decreased level of health literacy of trans and gender diverse individuals compared to cisgender individuals [ 11 ].…”