Competency on transgender health issues among medical professionals before and after the medical conference on transgender physiology

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Transgender healthcare has emerged as an area of medicine that has been in the blind spot of most physicians for the last century. Medical professionals in India have been equally unaware of the health needs of the transgender community. The aim of the present study was to assess the competency and awareness regarding transgender health and related issues among medical professionals.   Methodology: A questionnaire was framed to assess awareness on social and medical issues faced by the transgender community containing 40 questions in yes or no format. 126 doctors filled the questionnaires and 58 of the respondents later attended a conference on Transgender health. Similar questionnaire was used to assess the improvement in knowledge after the conference.   Results: The result of the questionnaire score was analysed in percentage. The average percentage score of the initial 126 respondents was 51.58. Pre-conference percentage score was 51.33 and the post-conference was 61.67 among the 58 conference attendees, showing a significant increase in awareness after being exposed to an educational session.    Conclusion: There is a need for large-scale awareness programs and the implementation of trans-inclusive medical curriculum to improve the competency of medical professionals.