Study: Trans & GD People Have Higher Incidence of Emergency Dept. Visits & Hospitalization

[Carolyn Marie]

https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20240214/transgender-genderdiverse-patients-face-higher-odds-of-ed-use-hospital-admission

 

 

The study's conclusions seem quite well-founded to me.  I would love to see more ED staff and experienced local medical office staff receive such training.  I'm sure some LGBT centers are providing such training, but there is always room for more.  @VickySGVand I have participated in such training at one medical school, but this study notes the importance of reaching more experienced practitioners.

 

Carolyn Marie

[VickySGV]

In addition to the Med. School experience, which was a lot of fun for me, I also have had "teaching" time with my own HMO due to a medical condition that requires regular procedures being done to get my body rid of toxic levels of a blood component.  I simply have to drain out a quantity of blood every few months, which means an RN has to closely monitor me for about a half hour and during that time we chat and it revolves around my being Trans.  Even though this has gone on for nearly 23 years, I seem to get the new person on their staff, and I did finally find out that (small blush from the Nursing supervisor who has been there for over 10 years) that it was an intentional rotation to give the RN time to get to know a Trans person. I love the chances to do it. 

[KatieSC]

There has been increasing awareness of all LGBTQIA+ needs in many of the medical and nursing professional associations. The Emergency Nurses Association actually produced a well-regarded toolkit for their members to improve the care, empathy, and understanding of the needs of the LGBTQIA+ communities. This does not mean that everyone in an ED will necessarily give you great care, but the organizations are trying. On more than one occasion I have had to pull nurses to the side and have an uncomfortable conversation. 

[Ivy]

My VA hospital is a Teaching Hospital (?) of some sort.  We usually have an intern attending our support group (subject to approval of the participants). We have had a nurse from day surgery also join us to find out more about their trans patients.

Personally, I'm glad to see it.  I wish more people took the time to get to know us and realize that we're not all ogres of some sort.