Exploring health care experiences of transgender people living in Texas.

BACKGROUND

Although the transgender population in the United States is greater than 1.4 million, health care experiences in this group are underaddressed.

PURPOSE

To explore the health care experiences of transgender people in Texas.

METHODS

This was an exploratory, sequential multimethod study. In Phase 1, to identify key health-related topics, a self-selected sample of 14 participants completed an online survey. In Phase 2, the focus was understanding care experiences for 12 participants using audio-recorded interviews and theme identification. NVivo software was used for data management.

FINDINGS

In Phase 1, findings included needing to: educate providers (89%), correct care staff on pronoun use (75%), tolerate staff's refusal to use one's preferred pronoun (50%). In Phase 2, four themes emerged: discrimination, provider practices, challenges to navigating the health care system, and gender identity.

DISCUSSION

Valuing transgender experiences is a first step in addressing care gaps. Change will require provider introspection and application of care guidelines.