Dataset Information

Cancer Screening for Transgender Patients: An Online Case-Based Module.

ABSTRACT: Introduction:Guidelines recommend that primary care providers complete organ-based routine cancer screening for all transgender patients. Training on critical transgender health topics like cancer screening, as well as residents' confidence in addressing issues their transgender patients may face, remains limited among graduate medical education (GME) programs. Online case-based modules are an effective tool for skills improvement in GME, but their application to transgender health topics has not been assessed. Methods:I developed a brief online module on cancer screening for transgender patients using Google Forms and offered it to first-year internal medicine residents. The module was optional and asynchronous with other didactics presented during an oncology-themed ambulatory learning block. Pre- and postmodule surveys assessed resident confidence in counseling transgender patients about cancer screening and sharing screening resources. Results:Fourteen of 60 interns elected to complete the module, with all participants submitting pre- and postmodule surveys. Respondents reported increased confidence in counseling transgender patients about appropriate cancer screening (mean increase on 5-point Likert scale of 1.29; confidence interval [CI], 0.81-1.76; p < .01) and increased confidence in discussing resources on cancer screening for transgender individuals (mean increase on 5-point Likert scale of 1.36; CI, 0.66-2.06; p < .01). Discussion:While knowledge gaps on transgender health issues like cancer screening remain significant among residents, brief case-based online modules, in conjunction with an expansion of traditional didactics, may help improve confidence among residents in addressing these critical issues with their transgender patients.

SUBMITTER: Oller D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6376892 | biostudies-other | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Cancer Screening for Transgender Patients: An Online Case-Based Module.

Oller Devin D

MedEdPORTAL : the journal of teaching and learning resources 20190118

<h4>Introduction</h4>Guidelines recommend that primary care providers complete organ-based routine cancer screening for all transgender patients. Training on critical transgender health topics like cancer screening, as well as residents' confidence in addressing issues their transgender patients may face, remains limited among graduate medical education (GME) programs. Online case-based modules are an effective tool for skills improvement in GME, but their application to transgender health topic ...[more]

PMID: 30800996

Similar Datasets

Project description:This study investigates the needs and concerns transgender (short: trans) individuals have concerning trans healthcare (THC) in interdisciplinary THC centres. Trans individuals' gender does not (fully/constantly) match their sex assigned at birth. To be able to live in their gender role and to prevent or minimise gender dysphoria, they might require a multidisciplinary set of transition related healthcare services. The current shift from the traditionally highly regulated, hierarchical and pathologising approach to THC towards a more patient-centred approach has highlighted the importance of trans patients' satisfaction with treatment processes and results. As the still influential regulations have a negative effect on patient satisfaction, and might also keep trans individuals from seeking transition related treatment, it is crucial to investigate what trans individuals, whether patients or not, need and fear regarding transition related healthcare. Against the backdrop of mixed reactions received from the local trans community regarding the foundation of the Interdisciplinary Transgender Healthcare Centre Hamburg (ITHCCH), Germany, this study seeks to determine what trans individuals need with respect to THC in order to guarantee for high quality service provision at the ITHCCH. To this end, an online questionnaire was developed. The researchers employed a participatory approach to questionnaire development by involving a working group consisting of local trans support group representatives and (THC) specialists (N = 4). The sample consisted of N = 415 trans-identified individuals aged between 16 and 76. Most of them were based in Germany. 85.2% (n = 382) reported experience with transition related healthcare and 72.5% (n = 301) had (additional) treatments planned. Analysis revealed a need for communication and feedback opportunities. Furthermore, during the treatment process, addressing individual needs was considered crucial by participants. They agreed moderately with concerns towards THC centres. 96.5% of participants would like high decision-making power concerning treatment-associated decisions. The results demonstrate the importance of patient-centred THC that takes patients' individual needs and realities into consideration and involves patients in decision-making processes.

Project description:ImportanceMore than 1 million people in the US identify as transgender; however, few studies have examined the experiences and outcomes of transgender patients with cancer.ObjectiveTo examine clinical characteristics, experiences, and outcomes of transgender patients with cancer.Design, setting, and participantsThis retrospective case series assessed transgender patients with at least 1 cancer diagnosis who were evaluated at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2019.Main outcomes and measuresDemographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics for all patients and documentation by oncologic practitioners of important aspects of providing gender-affirming care, including pronouns used by the patient, were recorded.ResultsA total of 37 transgender patients with cancer were assessed (mean [SD] age, 38.9 [21.8] years at first cancer diagnosis). Fifteen patients (40.5%) had hematologic malignant cancers, and 25 patients (67.6%) had solid malignant tumors. Sixteen patients (43.2%) initiated gender-affirming hormone therapy or surgery after their cancer diagnosis. Cancer treatment was frequently multimodal, with 24 patients (64.9%) receiving systemic therapy, 24 (64.9%) receiving surgery, and 20 (54.1%) receiving radiation therapy along with other cancer-directed treatment, such as cryoablation. Five patients (13.5%) had documentation from an oncologic practitioner that addressed a potential interaction between their gender-affirming care and their cancer treatment. Thirty-three patients had follow-up visits with oncologic practitioners after starting their transition. Of those patients, pronouns used were documented by a member of the oncologic team for 4 patients (12.1%). However, for 3 of the 4 patients, documentation did not consistently use patient-reported information. At the last follow-up, 5 patients (13.5%) had died of their disease, and 26 (70.3%) were living without disease.Conclusions and relevanceThis case series study found that transgender patients were diagnosed with diverse cancers, and many initiated gender-affirming hormone therapy or surgery after their diagnosis. Documentation by oncologic practitioners infrequently included pronouns used by the patient or discussion surrounding the interactions between cancer treatment and gender-affirming care, signifying that urgent improvements are needed in cancer care for transgender patients.

Dataset Information

Cancer Screening for Transgender Patients: An Online Case-Based Module.

Publications

Cancer Screening for Transgender Patients: An Online Case-Based Module.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure