CPD

Enhancing the care of transgender and non-binary patients through effective communication

Ben Heyworth Macmillan survivorship network manager, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust; consultant in LGBT and smoking cessation; and honorary lecturer, The University of Manchester, Manchester, England

Why you should read this article

• To understand how trans and non-binary patients may have a negative experience when accessing healthcare
• To learn how enhanced communication can result in a positive healthcare experience for trans and non-binary patients
• To count towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD, or you may wish to write a reflective account (UK readers)
• To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers)

There is increasing evidence to suggest that transgender (trans) and non-binary people encounter significant societal discrimination, stereotypical and misleading representation in the media, and frequent misgendering. They may also experience several barriers to accessing healthcare, as well as discrimination from staff and other patients. This article explores how and why trans and non-binary people experience discrimination, and discusses how healthcare professionals, including nurses, can enhance the care experience for these patients, with a particular emphasis on language and communication.

Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2021.e11728

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

@thismorningcall

Correspondence

benjamin.heyworth@nhs.net

Conflict of interest

None declared

Heyworth B (2021) Enhancing the care of transgender and non-binary patients through effective communication. Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2021.e11728

Published online: 02 August 2021

Keywords :

communication - discrimination - diversity - equality - inclusion - lesbian gay bisexual trans - patient experience - patients - professional - stigma