Dataset Information

Delays in gender affirming healthcare due to COVID-19 are mitigated by expansion of telemedicine.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gender-affirming healthcare is vital for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients, and during the pandemic, accessing healthcare became challenging. Hypothesizing that many had procedures postponed, we sought to characterize the impact of the pandemic on TGD patients.

Methods

A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining surveys and interviews; Duke patients were identified by ICD-10 codes, while non-Duke (national) patients were recruited through online social media.

Results

All specialties increased telemedicine usage during the pandemic. Duke surgical patients reported a nearly three-fold increase in telemedicine access. COVID-19 symptoms were reported by 24% of Duke and 20% of national patients; barriers to urgent care included the fear of discrimination (27%).

Conclusion

Delays were experienced in all domains of care, mitigated in part by telemedicine. Nearly one-third of patients cite discrimination as a barrier to care. Though pandemic-related expansion of telemedicine may be a marker of success, significant barriers still complicate delivery of healthcare.

SUBMITTER: Kloer C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9500094 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Delays in gender affirming healthcare due to COVID-19 are mitigated by expansion of telemedicine.

Kloer Carmen C Lewis Holly Christopher HC Rezak Kristen K

American journal of surgery 20220923 2

<h4>Background</h4>Gender-affirming healthcare is vital for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients, and during the pandemic, accessing healthcare became challenging. Hypothesizing that many had procedures postponed, we sought to characterize the impact of the pandemic on TGD patients.<h4>Methods</h4>A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining surveys and interviews; Duke patients were identified by ICD-10 codes, while non-Duke (national) patients were recruited through online social ...[more]

PMID: 36182596

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Project description:BackgroundTransgender individuals have long experienced discrimination and exclusion from medicine. Misgendering occurs when an individual is referred to using a gender or address incongruent with their identity. We evaluated the incidence of misgendering throughout the perioperative experience for patients undergoing gender-affirming surgery (GAS).MethodsPatients diagnosed with gender dysphoria who previously received GAS by the senior author were contacted to complete an IRB-approved survey to evaluate instances of misgendering while in the hospital for GAS. Study results were summarized using descriptive statistics.ResultsOf 471 patients contacted, 182 completed the survey (38.6%). The most cited gender identity was transfemale (28.0%). Most patients reported respect for their gender identity (60.4%) and name (76.8%) during their perioperative experience. Twenty-two percent cited triggering experiences, and 15.4% reported interactions with healthcare employees causing them to reach out to a support system. Misgendering most commonly included incorrect use of patients' preferred names and/or pronouns (n = 50, 86.2%), most commonly at surgical check-in (n = 10, 45.5%). Recommendations to improve feelings of gender congruence during patients' stay included updated names and gender identities in electronic medical records (80.8%), and names and pronouns listed on curtains and doors (52.3%) and name tags (51.5%).ConclusionsUntil now, the exact incidence of misgendering among patients seeking GAS have not been well established. Despite high levels of satisfaction, a large proportion still reported serious instances of misgendering. Improvements must be made to the perioperative experience to reduce misgendering and provide support and comfort during the sensitive period surrounding patients' gender transition.Level of evidence: Not gradable.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00238-022-02040-2.

Project description:BackgroundHealthcare workers, especially female employees, have historically been at an increased risk for occupational stress. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare workers shifted to a telework model of care and started working from home (WFH). It is unclear how WFH impacted female healthcare employees' job satisfaction and stress levels.ObjectiveTo further understand the impact of WFH on job satisfaction and stress among female healthcare employees.DesignAn exploratory survey was utilized. Data was evaluated with generalized linear models and logistic regression. Data was collected March to April 2021, between the third and fourth COVID waves in the U.S.A.ParticipantsAll employees (approximately 1050) within the Veterans Affairs Central Western Massachusetts (VACWM) Healthcare System were invited to participate. We received 220 responses with most (78.6%) respondents identifying as female.Main measuresA Work-from-Home Satisfaction Scale and the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Compassion Satisfaction and Burnout Scales.Key resultsA majority of our participants (> 60%) strongly agreed that WFH during COVID-19 increased their work satisfaction and their ability to feel safe and reduced overall stress levels. Female respondents reported that WFH increased their ability to feel safe, reduced overall stress, and did not interfere with work efficiency when compared to male respondents. Overall, reported burnout was low, with only 32.7% of respondents scoring in the moderate category on the PROQOL burnout scale and no respondents scoring in the high burnout category.ConclusionsEmployees at this VA medical center who had the ability to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly younger women, reported less stress, less burnout, and more satisfaction, while maintaining work efficiency and team cohesion. Providing permission to WFH may decrease the added burden that female healthcare workers often experience as they strive to overcome gender gaps and inequalities in the workplace.

Dataset Information

Delays in gender affirming healthcare due to COVID-19 are mitigated by expansion of telemedicine.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Delays in gender affirming healthcare due to COVID-19 are mitigated by expansion of telemedicine.

Similar Datasets

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