Primary care providers' perspectives of experiences with transgender and gender diverse adults: A scoping review.

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>As a minority group, transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals may experience healthcare stressors due to stigma, transphobia and healthcare staff who lack the knowledge about their specific needs, impacting primary care entry and attendance. Extant literature is concentrated on TGD individuals' perspectives of primary care with the main message being that it is inadequate.<h4>Aim</h4>To explore the primary care provider (PCP) perspective of experiences with adult TGD patients.<h4>Methods</h4>A scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's five-step framework to map and de-scribe the literature relating to PCP perspectives' of experiences with TGD adults. Four databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL Plus. The process was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The final dataset (<i>n</i> = 22) were charted and analysed thematically.<h4>Results</h4>Following application of exclusion criteria and removal of duplicates, twenty-two studies across five countries were included in the review. Studies include qualitative studies, surveys, mixed methods studies, a retrospective review and a pilot study with a pre- and postintervention analysis. Key themes identified related to the attitudes of PCPs towards TGD individuals, education of PCPs on TGD health issues and the barriers/facilitators to caring for TGD patients from a PCP perspective.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The review highlights the need for improved access to TGD-specific education. Future research should explore the best way to provide this to PCPs, inform implementation into relevant policies and include a broader range of countries to strengthen global applicability.