Abstract
Transgender individuals face significant health disparities including deficiencies
in physician education, knowledge, and comfort with care. The objective of this study
was to determine the perceptions, practice patterns, and familiarity of facial plastic
surgeons with transgender health care. An anonymous questionnaire was sent to facial
plastic surgeons within the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery list-serve. Primary datapoints included participant characteristics, transgender-related
experience, and educational goals. Of the 66 facial plastic surgeons surveyed, 49%
had treated 1 to 10 transgender patients during their career, and 70% were actively
treating at least 1 transgender patient. The number of patients treated and surgeries
performed was significantly associated with self-perceived competence, comfort counseling
on gender-affirming surgeries, discussing gender identity, asking preferred pronouns,
and a desire to learn more about transgender care. Most participants (61%) obtained
transgender care training through real-world experience, with only 18% receiving formal
training in residency or fellowship. In total, 50% of respondents believe transgender
care training among facial plastic surgeons is inadequate and 60% support its incorporation
into residency/fellowship curricula. Increased awareness is needed to address the
disparities experienced by transgender patients. Many facial plastic surgeons desire
to learn more and support incorporating transgender care into training. Understanding
the current state of transgender care can assist the facial plastic community in promoting
education that strengthens physicians' ability to deliver competent care that addresses
the inequities faced by this diverse group.
Keywords
transgender - gender identity - facial plastics - facial feminization - otolaryngology
