Readiness to provide pharmaceutical care to transgender patients: Perspectives from pharmacists and transgender individuals

Melin, Kyle; Hilera-Botet, Claudia R.; Vega-Vélez, Dializza; Salgado-Crespo, Valeria M.; Santiago, Darlene; Hernández-Agosto, Jonathan; Muñoz-Burgos, Aryam; Cajigas, Zaritza; Martínez-Vélez, José J.; Rodríguez-Díaz, Carlos E.

doi:10.1016/j.japh.2019.04.018

Cited by 28 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…After a literature review, the first step in the design of this test was the conceptualization of target constructs of knowledge on pharmaceutical care to transgender patients and 3 domains in pharmacists’ knowledge needed to provide pharmaceutical care for transgender patients were identified: (1) foundations of gender-affirming care, (2) health disparities and the specific needs of transgender patients, and (3) hormone treatments for transgender patients. The selection of these domains was based on previous findings from research describing the knowledge and attitudes of pharmacists in Puerto Rico regarding the care of transgender patients [ 8 ]. In the previously mentioned 2017 study, a wide variety of knowledge deficits were identified.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2017, a study was conducted in Puerto Rico to assess practicing pharmacists’ knowledge and attitudes in providing pharmaceutical care to transgender patients as well as the transgender patients’ perception of pharmacist knowledge and attitude [ 8 ]. In this study, pharmacist knowledge was low, with few pharmacists being able to define the term “transgender” or correctly identify appropriate hormonal treatments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Development of a Knowledge Test on Transgender Patients’ Care

Hernández-Agosto

Melin

Rosa-Vega

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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The objective of this study was to develop an assessment instrument to measure the effects of a continuing education intervention on 3 domains in pharmacists’ knowledge needed to provide pharmaceutical care for transgender patients: (1) foundations of gender-affirming care, (2) health disparities and the specific needs of transgender patients, and (3) hormone treatments for transgender patients. Multiple-choice questions were developed, and an initial item bank of 47 items was drafted. Item bank revision was conducted by content matter experts, while feedback from 8 practicing pharmacists was provided for face validity and further insights. A preliminary test, containing 42 items was administered to 64 pharmacists before and after a three-hour continuing education intervention. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient yielded a value of 0.65 as a pre-test and 0.77 as a post-test. Items were less difficult to answer by participants after taking the three-hour continuing education, showing better discrimination among high and low performers in the instrument administration as post-test, as well as better correlation when comparing participants’ performance in the overall score against item-level performance. Psychometric evidence supports further instrument examination, which can improve this tool to measure gains in pharmacists’ knowledge related to the care of transgender patients.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Development of a Knowledge Test on Transgender Patients’ Care

Hernández-Agosto

Melin

Rosa-Vega

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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“…Many pharmacists have become aware of their limited knowledge regarding transgender care and recognize the importance of proficiency to provide effective pharmaceutical care. 8,9 A study of community pharmacist residents found that 82.7% of respondents recognized that pharmacists play an important role in the care of transgender patients, yet 71% reported they had not received education on transgender care in pharmacy school. 8 By improving access to medications, linking patients to culturally sensitive healthcare providers, and serving as an educational resource, pharmacists play a key role in improving healthcare access for this population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Educational intervention to improve pharmacist knowledge to provide care for transgender patients

Rosa-Vega¹,

Carlo²,

Rodríguez-Ochoa³

et al. 2020

Pharm Pract (Granada)

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Background: Most pharmacists have not received formal training or education in the provision of care for transgender patients. Nonetheless, pharmacists have the potential to be valuable partners in the care of transgender patients, and a continuing education course might be valuable in addressing this knowledge gap. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a three-hour continuing education course in improving the knowledge of pharmacists to provide pharmaceutical care for transgender patients. Methods: A quasi-experimental, one-group pre-test/post-test study design was used to measure the impact of a three-hour continuing pharmacy education course on the knowledge of pharmacists on transgender care. The course was divided into three units: (1) Transgender Patient Care Introduction, (2) General Health Issues of Transgender Patients, and (3) Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy. A total of 68 pharmacists participated in the study, of which 54 completed both the pre- and post-test. An ANOVA was used to compare differences in knowledge in the group before and after the educational intervention. Results: The majority of the participating pharmacists were cisgender, heterosexual women who had not received any formal training related to transgender care. Participants demonstrated the largest increase in execution score in the third unit, with a percent improvement of 25.22% (pre-test 45.06%, post-test 70.28%; p<0.001). The average total execution score was 52.15% in the pre-test and 72.89% (p< 0.001) in the post-test. Conclusions: Pharmacists benefited from a three-hour continuing education course with an increase in knowledge regarding transgender patient care and hormone therapy for gender affirmation. As this study only evaluated the effect in short term memory, further studies are needed to assess long term impact of the continuing education course on transgender care knowledge.

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“…9,13,14 Furthermore, many Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students and pharmacists do not feel adequately prepared or trained to counsel members of the LGBTQ community in their practice setting, regardless of whether it be community, hospital, or other work environment. 14,15 Another situation that may impact health care access by LGBTQ patients can occur when a pharmacist or other health care professional allows their personal perceptions of the individuals perceived lifestyle or morality of their patients to influence their judgements. 16 If pharmacists devalue the needs of the LGBTQ community and morally disengage with them, it adds to the stigma these patients feel and creates a cognitive dissonance with the pharmacist's code of ethics.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, the researchers found an association between pharmacists' attitude/perception of LGBTQ patients and their religious affiliation, and that having certain religious views may contribute to pharmacists' willingness to serve transgender patients. 15 Surveys that evaluated the perceived need for inclusion of LGBTQ-specific content in the PharmD curriculum reported, depending on how the question was phrased, support in the range of 60%-85% independent of public or privately held organizational structures of the institution. 9,10,13 In order to serve LGBTQ patients adequately, future pharmacists need to be trained not only on general topics related to health care but also how to appropriately address and interact with this patient population.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Pharmacist as an LGBTQ Ally

Grundmann

Segal

Pullo

et al. 2020

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

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An ally is defined as one who is associated with another as a helper that provides support and assistance in an ongoing struggle or effort. Pharmacists should be allies to their patients by ensuring optimal health outcomes and by helping their patients achieve therapeutic objectives and goals. However, most colleges of pharmacy are currently not well equipped to train future pharmacists to counsel lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning/queer (LGBTQ) patients. This commentary explores reasons for discrepancies in health care access for LGBTQ patients and how efforts can be advanced to meet the needs of this minority group. Pharmacists require adequate training to provide optimal care for a more diverse patient population and to be both an ally in health and a reassuring supporter for members of the LGBTQ community.

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Readiness to provide pharmaceutical care to transgender patients: Perspectives from pharmacists and transgender individuals

Cited by 28 publications

References 12 publications

The Development of a Knowledge Test on Transgender Patients’ Care

The Development of a Knowledge Test on Transgender Patients’ Care

Educational intervention to improve pharmacist knowledge to provide care for transgender patients

The Pharmacist as an LGBTQ Ally

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