Transgender patients, hospitalists, and ethical care

Matthew W. McCarthy, Elizabeth Reis, Joseph J. Fins

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Meeting the needs of current and future transgender individuals is a pressing medical concern. The transgender community faces unique health issues, including an elevated risk of HIV infection in male-to-female transgender people and high rates of violence, suicide, and substance abuse. Unfortunately, many trans people avoid seeking treatment because they have experienced discrimination, hostility, and refusal of medical care because of their status. Health-care workers who are not transphobic simply may not understand enough about the medical process of transitioning to adequately care for these patients. Hospitalists—specialists in inpatient medicine— are uniquely positioned to change this trajectory. We believe that as this burgeoning cohort of doctors takes on an expanded role in medicine, they should take the lead in the care of hospitalized transgender patients and in providing education to trainees about medical issues pertinent to this group of underserved and marginalized patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number648050
Pages (from-to)234-245
Number of pages12
JournalPerspectives in Biology and Medicine
Volume59
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Issues, ethics and legal aspects
  • Health Policy
  • History and Philosophy of Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Transgender patients, hospitalists, and ethical care'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this