Research highlights barriers that exist for transgender, gender-diverse people to access gender-affirming surgery

Transgender and nonbinary (TNB) people experience stigmatization, discrimination and marginalization within the hospital environment and the broader societal context. They often experience trauma as a result. Patients described frequent interactions in which healthcare practitioners dismissed or invalidated their transgender identity, were insufficiently knowledgeable about trans healthcare or were reluctant to engage with complexities of referral systems. The study by IWK Health in Halifax says additional research, increased education for healthcare professionals and policy changes are necessary to improve access to competent care for TNB people.