Document Type
Abstract
Publication Date
2-11-2026
Academic Year
2025-2026
Abstract
Introduction: Gender affirming (hormone) care (GAC) has come under bureaucratic scrutiny over the 21st century despite increasing social support of LGBTQ+ individuals. Primary care healthcare professionals (PCHPs) are uniquely situated to oversee and maintain patients’ GAC. Despite this, there is little research investigating PCHPs’ experiences providing GAC, particularly from a narrative lens. This approach may help us understand these perspectives, by promoting reflection upon personal experiences and emphasizing what PCHPs think is important for providing GAC.
Hypothesis: This study investigates what perspectives and experiences PCHPs hold regarding providing GAC in primary care settings. The investigators hypothesize that PCHPs will have varied perspectives on and experiences with providing GAC, which will impact their interest and motivations towards providing GAC. Variations in perspectives may stem from scope of practice, time spent practicing GAC, and bureaucratic and/or political pressures.
Methods: Participants were recruited from large, multi-hospital academic health system. Data was collected via one-on-one interviews over a virtual meeting platform. Participants were asked about their experiences providing GAC, their scope of practice, and perspectives on current events surrounding GAC.
Results: Thus far, six interviews have been conducted. Preliminary thematic and narrative analysis has shown themes including: lack of centralized (pre)clinical GAC training; the importance of interdisciplinary teams for GAC provision; balancing accessibility vs. depth of clinical resources; and the belief that primary care is an ideal location for GAC provision.
Discussion/Conclusions: The results of this study can help guide future educational opportunities for PCHPs and other professionals who provide GAC in clinical settings.
Recommended Citation
Lemberg, MA, Sofia and McClowry, MD, Robert, "Narrative Perspectives on Providing Gender Affirming Care in Primary Care Settings" (2026). Phase 1. Paper 2.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/si_hum_2028_phase1/2
Language
English
Comments
Presented at the 2026 Scholarly Inquiry (SI) Research Project Symposium.