Transgender individuals often encounter barriers to gender-affirming treatment when mental health is treated as a prerequisite rather than an interconnected factor. Delaying care can harm both mental and physical health outcomes. By adopting integrated, informed, and compassionate approaches, healthcare providers can significantly improve access to care, validate patient experiences, and enhance overall well-being.
The following approaches can help improve care and reduce barriers:
Integrated Care Approaches
Treat mental health and gender-affirming needs together, rather than separately.
Develop care plans that recognise how these issues are interconnected.
Informed Consent Models
Allow patients to access treatment based on informed decision-making rather than requiring extensive gatekeeping.
Respect patient autonomy and self-knowledge about their own bodies and needs.
Training and Sensitivity
Provide ongoing education for healthcare staff on the unique needs of transgender patients.
Focus training on the links between mental health and gender dysphoria to promote empathetic, supportive care.