Primary Care for Transgender Individuals: A Review of the Literature Reflecting a Canadian Perspective

Abstract

Literature related to transgender health in adults has focused on definitions, hormone therapy, and transgender-sensitive care provision. Further understanding is needed on the delivery of primary care for transgender adults. The aim of this review was to understand the primary-care needs and access to health care services for transgender adults in Canada. A state-of-the-art literature review was conducted. Thirteen research studies were included. There is limited literature on the delivery of primary care for transgender adults, particularly in Canada. Health care issues and access to care have been explored. However, there remains minimal Canadian content on primary-care delivery for transgender adults. Additional studies are needed to understand transgender primary-care needs in Canada. Further understanding can reduce the invisibility and disparities experienced by transgender individuals. With better understanding of transgender primary health care issues, primary-care practitioners can advocate for the heath needs of their patients and improve care delivery.

Queering Public Health: A Critical Examination of Healthcare Access and Gender Expression among Trans, Nonbinary, and Other Gender Nonconforming People during COVID-19

“…Tese barriers still exist for TGNC people who are linked with a primary care provider as many TGNC people are uncomfortable talking to their doctor about trans-specifc health issues [5]. Coverage for trans healthcare in Canada varies widely by province [6], with some jurisdictions absorbing the costs of hormone replacement therapy and gender-afrming surgeries.…”

Barriers and facilitators for accessing and prescribing hormone therapy in primary care for transgender adults: a scoping review protocol

“…1 Some of the primary care needs of transgender and cisgender people are similar, such as the need for preventive care, periodic health screening and examinations, and acute care visits. 2,3 Furthermore, rates of chronic disease, such as diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease, are similar within the transgender and cisgender population. 4 However, accessing cross-gender hormone therapy is a unique difference.…”

An undergraduate medical curriculum framework for providing care to transgender and gender diverse patients: A modified Delphi study

“…A recent review of the Canadian landscape identified the lack of practitioner knowledge as a key barrier to TGD persons accessing primary care [ 17 ]. Obedin-Maliver et al.…”

“…A recent review of the Canadian landscape identified the lack of practitioner knowledge as a key barrier to TGD persons accessing primary care [17]. Obedin-Maliver et al [5] found that more than a third of North American schools had no core LGBTQ+ content in their curricula, and even those that did tended to focus more on LGB and intersex topics than on those specific to TGD patients.…”