Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia.
West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.
J Adolesc Health. 2024 Jun;74(6):1088-1094. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.12.014. Epub 2024 Feb 6.
Pediatric primary care providers (PPCPs) often care for gender diverse youth (GDY), particularly in rural areas, but little is known about their relevant knowledge, attitudes, or educational experiences regarding caring for this population.
This study surveyed PPCPs throughout the rural state of West Virginia using an online survey assessing 1) demographics, 2) knowledge, 3) attitudes, and 4) educational experiences. Knowledge and attitude scores were calculated and proportion-tests and t-tests were used to compare these scores by PPCP characteristics including age, time in practice, and training background.
In total, 51 PPCPs from throughout the state completed the survey and 82% had cared for GDY in the prior year. Younger providers (<age 40) and those who had less time in practice (<10 years) had significantly higher knowledge (p = .02, p < .01) and attitude scores (p = .01, p < .01) than older providers and those who had been in practice longer. Most (84%) PPCPs reported having received some form of education related to caring for GDY. Those who reported no education had significantly lower knowledge (p < .01) and attitude scores (p < .01).
PPCPs in a rural state reported caring for GDY, but knowledge and attitudes related to this care varied by age, time in practice, and relevant educational experiences. More research is needed to determine best strategies for providing education to PPCPs, particularly those who are older and have been in practice longer, and to better understand the impacts of legislation limiting evidence-based gender-affirming care on PPCP knowledge, attitudes, and access to educational experiences.
儿科初级保健提供者（PPCP）经常照顾性别多样化的青年（GDY），尤其是在农村地区，但对于他们在照顾这一人群方面的相关知识、态度或教育经验知之甚少。
本研究通过在线调查对西弗吉尼亚州农村地区的 PPCP 进行了调查，该调查评估了 1）人口统计学，2）知识，3）态度和 4）教育经验。计算了知识和态度得分，并通过 PPCP 的特征（包括年龄、从业时间和培训背景）进行了比例检验和 t 检验，比较了这些得分。
总共有来自全州的 51 名 PPCP 完成了调查，其中 82%的人在过去一年中照顾过 GDY。年轻的提供者（<40 岁）和从业时间较短的（<10 年）的提供者在知识（p =.02，p <.01）和态度得分（p =.01，p <.01）方面明显高于年龄较大的提供者和从业时间较长的提供者。大多数（84%）PPCP 报告接受过与照顾 GDY 相关的某种形式的教育。那些没有接受过教育的人在知识（p <.01）和态度得分（p <.01）方面明显较低。
农村州的 PPCP 报告称照顾 GDY，但与这种护理相关的知识和态度因年龄、从业时间和相关教育经验而异。需要进一步研究确定向 PPCP 提供教育的最佳策略，特别是针对年龄较大和从业时间较长的 PPCP，以及更好地了解限制基于证据的性别肯定护理的立法对 PPCP 知识、态度和获得教育经验的影响。
