Fixing the System: Healthcare Missing the Mark for Non-Binary and Transgender People

Medical schools are missing the mark when it comes to training doctors to care for non-binary and transgender individuals. Doctors still learn based on binary gender, first established in the mid 19th century. What does that mean for today's patients? Everyone's health history is recorded on paper and considered factual. However, these records can lack vital information and can be full of errors for anyone, including non-binary and transgender people. This missing information leads to incorrect diagnoses and poor care. Doctors often get it wrong. Think about it, when you go to the doctor, and you're non-binary or transgender, you may find the doctor doesn't understand your situation. They may not be able to relate to your experiences and turn to outdated ideas. This affects the level of care you'll get. They will dismiss symptoms and deliver the wrong treatment. Education for doctors is key. There are not enough training programs for doctors to learn about non-binary and transgender health. With no education, some doctors don't do a good job teaching others in the field. This brings more errors and lack of awareness. The result? Patients are often upset. Healthcare providers have to think about the patient and their identity. Public opinion and legal considerations also come into play. A change in public opinion could lead to better outcomes for non-binary and transgender patients, but legal changes are necessary for true progress. How does this impact the health and well being of patients? Little changes can lead to big improvements. If we raise awareness and make changes to how doctors are trained, non-binary and transgender people will be treated with the care they deserve. This all comes back to the bigger picture. The current state of the healthcare system isn't working for everyone.