Comments on: Addressing Transgender Patients

By: Zoila

Zoila — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:06:05 +0000

I find the defensive and insensitive comments by those in my field to be quite embarrassing and shameful.

The issue of what to call someone is an issue of respect.

A transgendered individual asking you to call them by thier appropriate pronoun is NOT asking you to ignore thier anatomical parts. They are asking that you respect who they are as an individual.

All of the TG individuals I know, will rapidly explain what their biological anatomy is. They KNOW what thier parts are, their risk. I imagine, like everyone, they simplly want good health care in a respectful environment.

More importantly, why do you care if M2F wants you to use the pronoun She and her chosen name?

By: BoyFromCT

BoyFromCT — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:12:08 +0000

i’m transgender and have a chronic illness. i was born with my illness and will always have it, so i’m not a stranger to doctors offices and hospitals. if i go to a new doctor’s office or if i’m hospitalized, i just explain my situation to the staff and tell them that i prefer male pronouns be used. for the most part, doctors and nurses have been very respectful to me, probably because i never made it into a “i’m special and need to be treated as such!” issue. i’ve even had people ask me if i would mind answering some questions (non-medical questions) because they’ve never met a transgender person before… and i’m more than happy to answer their questions, and i know the importance of making sure they are made aware of surgical procedures i’ve had and what hormones i’m currently taking.
occasionally, someone will forget and say “she” or use my old name, since it is on my older records. i don’t see that as being transphobic. i see that as making a mistake. heck, even my parents will slip up and say “she” every so often. i don’t know if maybe i’m more easy-going than most people, but i don’t make a big deal about a one-time slip-up.
the only time i ever experienced true transphobia from a medical professional was when i was in the hospital recovering from my hysterectomy. one of the nurses would refer to me as “it” and told me that what i was doing “just wasn’t natural”.

By: ally

ally — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:33:49 +0000

“I” for intersex would be less offensive

By: NitroRN

NitroRN — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:21:07 +0000

And you would be exactly the judgemental type of caregiver that makes it difficult for transpeople to seek care. Regardless of how skilled you are at your job, I am sure that your distaste of the patient will come across as it does here.

Who cares what a patient’s personal choices are, as long as they give you the information that you need to give them complete medical care. How can you expect them to feel comfortable discussing the most personal aspects of their lives if you radiate disgust for their “mutilated bodies pumped full of exogenous hormones”

By: Finn

Finn — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:33:10 +0000

Wow, some folks appear to feel really distressed (perhaps somehow threatened?) by the notion of addressing someone who has (or had) a scrotum as “her.” OBVIOUSLY medical professionals need to know what organs and meds are on board, what surgeries have been performed, etc. I don’t see how any of that prevents you from addressing a M2F patient as “Ms.” if the patient so desires. How is that any different from Patrick asking you to call him “Pat”?

By: Hueydoc

Hueydoc — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:20:31 +0000

” Jesus is sad because you are a freak”.
Yep- no phobia there.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:56:39 +0000

Its not just support groups, but financial systems. There was a case recently where a guy had to sue the government because he wasn’t eligable for monies that had been set aside to help breast cancer patients because the legal language specified “woman”.

By: Lesbidoc

Lesbidoc — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:17:45 +0000

Well said Somebody.

@Hueydoc:
I didn’t see anything Christian phobic. The comment about being religious could apply to christtans, jews, rastafarians, hindus, vegetarians…

I see it more as a reminder that we are here to practice medicine with diligence and compassion without the need to interject our personal or private agenda when it serves no purpose in the point of care. Perhaps he should have said some doctors are prejudicial about their passions. Jesus is sad – Buddha is weeping – My wife looks great naked – and any other inappropriate comments should be zipped.

Unfortunately, many of us have become so jaded or feel such a need to be the center of attention, that we make all kinds of jokes at others’ expense. We do it out loud in the middle of the department, where everyone can hear, nurses can laugh, colleagues slap us on the back and patients snicker – that is all but the patient you have so crudely paraded about the atmosphere of the room. Hey, bed 7 has a vacuum cleaner hose stuck you know where…

We all realize that HIPPA APPLIES IN THEORY ONLY in the context of the typical ED. Patients separated by curtains, patients parked by the desk and other patients, visitors, and providers are privy to most sensitive details. Very few providers stop and take the patient to a private room to ask questions that the patient can answer honestly without fear of reprisal.

I have had transgendered patients call my ED to see when I am on shift. Some want to see me personally, others are happy to see the mid-level as long as they are under my supervision. I don’t hint at what I am thinking or need to know; I ask.

As the captain of the ship, start by setting the right example for your staff. First, think about how you will react – then ACT appropriately. Think of it as social CPR. This goes not only for the marginalized, but for everyone you meet – whether inside the ED or out.

By: WhiteCoat

WhiteCoat — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:36:24 +0000

Bad apples occur everywhere. Discussing the issue beforehand with an administrator can minimize the chances that the bad apples have an opportunity to cause problems.

By: WhiteCoat

WhiteCoat — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:33:44 +0000

The other point is that, especially in clinics and emergency departments, we see sociopaths and people affected by mind altering substances every day. Perhaps medical staff have become calloused by patients “crying wolf”.
This is why it is important for there to be a dialogue before there is a miscommunication rather than a blow up after the miscommunication has already been made.