Table 6.

Recommendations for Health Care Clinicians, Researchers, Staff, and Systems

1. Active immersion with TGD individuals and communities

2. Educate providers, researchers, and systems on issues relevant to TGD health (e.g., workshops, trainings, didactics, and consultation)

3. Self-awareness and reflexivity of own biases in research, practice, and policy

4. Conduct affirmative research in multiple fields of TGD health (e.g., endocrinology, public health, mental health, neuropsychology, and primary care)

5. Include space for TGD demographics in research; understand sex and gender as related but separate constructs/variables—consider write-in options

6. Develop TGD-centric frameworks in policy, research, and practice—include TGD people in the process

7. Understand “transitioning” as a multifaceted and individualized lifelong process, which may or may not include medical intervention(s)

8. Update clinical forms and medical charting, reflecting a greater number of options for sex and gender identities

9. Ask about, and use, correct name and pronouns in all stages of a visit (e.g., front desk staff and providers)

10. Understand essentialist, binary underpinnings of diagnoses and treatment

11. Understand the pros and cons of past and current Standards of Care for TGD people

12. Understand the costs and benefits of gatekeeping and informed consent models of care

13. Understand TGD identities as a source of resilience vs. pathology—consider sources and effects of external stressors (e.g., transphobia and cissexism)

14. Do not assume TGD identities are the crux of all presenting concerns—listen and validate

15. Develop and advocate for affirmative resources and services for TGD people

16. Create TGD inclusive spaces (e.g., media and literature reflecting TGD identities, all gender restrooms, and value diversity in hiring practices)