What all doctors should know about trans health – a conversation between a medic and a sociologist

Abstract

This article offers guidance on how to engage with transgender patients – people whose genders do not correspond with the assignment made at birth. The format is that of a dialogue between a GP and an academic sociologist, both with a special interest in trans health. The authors provide their allied perspectives on possibilities for improved inclusivity in clinical practice. The approach taken intends to simultaneously be familiar and accessible to those with medical experience, while also engaging with nuanced elements to provide a firm conceptual foundation. Following an orienting discussion of sex and gender (and how ‘the biological’ and ‘the social’ relate), the article engages with key concepts and practices when meeting a trans patient for the first time. More specific examples such as history-taking, physical examination, and sex-based reference range interpretation are discussed. The article closes with some evaluative take home messages, emphasising the importance of avoiding common assumptions, and the need for continual development of inclusive curricula.