Bringing Gender-Affirming Care to Primary Care

Use of a Multimodal Curriculum to Educate Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Practitioner Students

Abstract

Background: 

An increasing number of individuals who identify as transgender and gender diverse require informed and compassionate health care, yet there is a dearth of research about which educational strategies are best used to provide nurses and nurse practitioners the foundation upon which to provide appropriate health care.

Purpose: 

This study evaluated a multimodal approach that included guided readings, a transgender patient panel, standardized patient simulation, and group discussion.

Methods: 

The Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale was administered pre- and postintervention.

Results: 

Results demonstrated increases in knowledge, skills, and attitudes among the 16 participants. A high level of satisfaction was expressed for the overall program, but especially for the patient panel and standardized patient encounter.

Conclusions: 

Nurse educators are encouraged to include information about health care of the transgender patient into curricula.