Abstract
Objective: To investigate associations between reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) providers’ prior training and current knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors regarding fertility preservation and family building for transgender and gender-diverse (T/GD) patients. Design: The survey was distributed to members of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, the REI-physician-focused professional body within the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, with additional participants recruited through snowball sampling. Results: Participants (n = 206) reported on training in T/GD care; 51% endorsed prior training. Most participants (93%) believed T/GD individuals were as fit for parenthood as cisgender individuals. Prior training was associated with an increased likelihood of offering T/GD health resources and more frequent consultations with specialist colleagues. Common barriers to providing care indicated by respondents included cost, delays in gender-affirming care, and lack of knowledge of the potential impact of hormonal interventions. Common facilitators included education and training, prior experience, and affordability of services. Conclusions: Most REI providers believed T/GD individuals are fit for parenthood and agreed that prior training facilitates care for T/GD patients. The lack of provider knowledge emerged as a barrier to care. Although training helped facilitate some components of care, systemic barriers such as the cost and variability of patient population characteristics/experiences are important considerations when serving T/GD individuals.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 213-223 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | F and S Reports |
Volume | 4 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2023 |
Keywords
- LGBTQ+
- Transgender
- education
- family building
- fertility
- fertility preservation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Embryology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology