Transplant professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to transgender and gender diverse patient care: A national survey.

Transgender and gender diverse (TGGD) communities experience significant health disparities related to clinical, social, and structural factors. This survey assessed transplant professionals' knowledge, perceptions, and institutional support for TGGD care. An online survey was administered through the American Society of Transplantation Communities of Practice member hubs and assessed respondents' experience, communication practices, confidence, perceived barriers, and institutional systems related to delivering health care for TGGD patients. Among 125 transplant professionals who completed the survey (completion rate 51.7%), the majority worked in kidney (67%), liver (48%), and pancreas (42%) transplantation, with smaller proportions in heart (21%) and lung (14%). Although 90% had cared for TGGD patients, only 18% felt knowledgeable about TGGD-specific transplant care. Perceived barriers to equitable transplant care for TGGD patients included providers' limited awareness of available resources (58%), insufficient knowledge (68%), lack of clinical guidelines (68%), and unclear legislation (31%). Half (51%) reported feeling inadequately supported by their institution to provide gender-affirming care. A quarter had mandatory training on TTGD patient care by their institution or health care system. These findings highlight the need for enhanced education, standardized guidelines, and institutional support to better provide equitable and affirming transplant care for TGGD patients.

Duke Scholars

Author Goni Katz-Greenberg Medicine, Nephrology