NAVIGATING HEALTHCARE INEQUITIES: AN EXAMINATION OF BARRIERS FACED BY TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS AND THE INTEGRATION OF STANDARDIZED PATIENT CASES IN MEDICAL EDUCATION

Abstract

Previous research has shown that there are a multitude of barriers that the transgender community faces when seeking adequate access to healthcare within the United States. Trans individuals are subject to multiple forms of discrimination in healthcare settings: abuse from providers, inconsistent electronic medical records, lack of insurance coverage for gender- affirming care, anti-trans legislation, and exclusion from research. Additionally, healthcare providers who identify as transgender or nonbinary are significantly underrepresented in medicine. One of the largest barriers examined is the lack of curriculum focused on transgender medicine at medical schools. To better include transgender individuals in the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson curriculum, two transgender Standardized Patient cases have been developed alongside this assessment of healthcare barriers. The integration of these cases will allow for knowledgeable physicians and increase proper care for future patients.