New York OBGYN Zoe I. Rodriguez, MD, a pioneer in the care of transgender people, has witnessed a remarkable evolution in medicine.
Dr. Zoe I. Rodriguez
Years ago, providers knew little to nothing about the unique needs of transgender patients. Now, Dr. Rodriguez said, “there’s tremendous interest in being able to competently treat and address transgender individuals.”
But increased awareness has come with a dose of worry. Providers are often afraid they’ll say or do the wrong thing.
Dr. Rodriguez, who is an assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, will help hospitalists gain confidence in treating transgender patients at an HM19 session on Tuesday. “I hope to eliminate this element of fear,” she said. “It’s just really about treating people with respect and dignity and having the knowledge to care for them appropriately.”
The United States is home to an estimated 1.4 million transgender people, and every one has a preferred name and preferred pronouns. It’s crucial for physicians to understand name and pronoun preferences and use them, Dr. Rodriguez said.
At her practice, an intake form asks patients how they wish to be addressed. “I know this information by the time I walk into the exam room,” she said.
For hospitalists, she said, getting this information beforehand may not be possible. In that case, she said, ask questions of the patient and don’t be afraid to get it wrong.
“Mistakes happen all the time,” Dr. Rodriguez said. “People will correct you if you misgender them or call them other than their preferred name. As long as the mistakes are not willful, apologize and move on.”
It’s also important to understand the special needs that transgender patients may – or may not – have. For example, not every transgender patient takes hormones. Even if a patient does, the hormones may not affect as many body processes as you might assume, Dr. Rodriguez said.
Also, not every transgender person has had surgery. However, it can be helpful to understand what surgery entails. “If they get their surgery done in Thailand, a popular destination, and they need treatment in Topeka for an issue related to their surgery, it would be good for the hospitalist to understand what’s done during the surgery.”
In her session, Dr. Rodriguez will also talk about creating an LGBT-friendly environment. “These patients are already feeling very vulnerable and marginalized within these vast health systems,” she said. “It makes a big difference to know that someone is there and gets it.”
Dr. Rodriguez also plans to emphasize the importance of staying aware and up to date about transgender issues. “It’s a continuum,” she said. “There will be more evolution as people come up with new terminologies and words to describe their gender expression and identity. It will be crucially important for physicians to be aware and respectful.”
What Hospitalists Need to Know About Caring for Transgender Patients
Tuesday, 3:50 – 4:30 p.m.
Maryland A/1-3
