Caring for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Patients in the Urgent Care Setting

Points & Pearls Excerpt

• Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) patients may present more often to the urgent care setting because fear of stigma or discrimination has led to delayed or avoided routine care.^2-4
• Do not assume a patient's gender identity, name, pronouns, anatomy, pregnancy potential, or personal body-part terminology based on physical appearance or the electronic health record.
• Always explain why sensitive questions or examinations are medically necessary, especially when asking about anatomy, sexual health, pregnancy potential, gender-affirming care, or mental health.
• A focused social history may help with management and disposition decisions, as TGD patients face significant barriers to medical care (eg, substance use, housing instability, food insecurity, violence, family rejection).⁶ (See Table 3.)