Transgender Adolescents' Experiences in Primary Care: A Qualitative Study

Purpose: Transgender adults may avoid medical settings due to concerns about discrimination or past experiences of maltreatment. Emerging evidence shows improved outcomes and psychosocial functioning when transgender adolescents receive gender-affirming care, but little is known about transgender adolescents' experiences in primary care. The objective of this study was to learn about the experiences in primary care of transgender and gender nonconforming (TGN) adolescents and their recommendations for primary care practices and clinicians.

Methods: Participants were recruited from primary care clinics, gender care clinics, and list serves. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 TGN adolescents aged 13-21 years (75% white/non-Hispanic, average age 16.7 years). Participants answered questions about primary care experiences, how to improve care, suggestions regarding how to ask about gender identity, and recommendations for making offices more welcoming for TGN adolescents. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed for themes.

Results: Overall, participants reported positive experiences in primary care. Most participants commented on distress resulting from being called the incorrect name or the incorrect pronoun. Several concrete recommendations emerged from the interviews, including asking all patients about their gender identity and pronouns at every primary care visit and not asking about gender identity when caregivers are in the room. Participants emphasized the importance of using their affirmed name and pronouns and wanted providers to be knowledgeable about transgender health.

Conclusion: Delivery of primary care services for transgender adolescents may be optimized if offices provide a welcoming environment, use correct names and pronouns, and discuss gender confidentially with patients.