Location
Philadelphia, PA
Start Date
3-5-2023 1:00 PM
End Date
3-5-2023 4:00 PM
Description
INTRODUCTION:
While health, wellness, and healthcare are essential to every human being, not much is known about the health and healthcare experiences of transgender students on college campuses. Understanding these healthcare experiences are important because when we recognize them, we can establish a healthy relationship of trust. There is a growing number of transgender students on West Chester University campus, who felt they were not getting the appropriate support and care. As a result, a project was started at student health services to help transgender students effectively access sensitive and welcoming care and support.
METHODS:
To address the needs of the transgender student population and improve the model of care at student health services, gaining a better understanding of the transgender community was a vital step. To become familiarized with their needs and health concerns, a Likert survey was created and disseminated to investigate the current issues regarding barriers of adequate care. Additionally, to identify the barriers of providing adequate care, student and health professional interviews were completed. The students involved in the interviews and questionnaires were recruited through LGBTQ Support Services Center on West Chester University’s campus. A needs assessment was also created to gain a better understanding of the health needs of the transgender student community. The available resources and services provided to the LGBTQ students at West Chester University were reviewed and compared to other colleges and universities.
RESULTS:
Students expressed that they felt the healthcare providers were underprepared to provide care and that their care could be improved upon. Through meeting with students and clinicians, a key barrier was the unfamiliarity with transgender health and in addressing transgender-specific health needs. It was also discovered that being unprepared to provide care, resulted in unconscious and implicit bias and the perpetuation of transgender exclusive practices.
DISCUSSION:
This project identified themes, barriers and areas of concern expressed by transgender students. By identifying these elements, further research can be conducted to better understand student’s perceptions and feelings when seeking healthcare, and whether these experiences impact health outcomes. The purpose of this project was to create an atmosphere geared towards providing healthcare services that are inclusive to all people of all gender identities. With the growing number of transgender students on college campuses, establishing welcoming health setting for students is very important.
Embargo Period
6-7-2023
Building inclusive and welcoming student health centers for transgender students
Philadelphia, PA
INTRODUCTION:
While health, wellness, and healthcare are essential to every human being, not much is known about the health and healthcare experiences of transgender students on college campuses. Understanding these healthcare experiences are important because when we recognize them, we can establish a healthy relationship of trust. There is a growing number of transgender students on West Chester University campus, who felt they were not getting the appropriate support and care. As a result, a project was started at student health services to help transgender students effectively access sensitive and welcoming care and support.
METHODS:
To address the needs of the transgender student population and improve the model of care at student health services, gaining a better understanding of the transgender community was a vital step. To become familiarized with their needs and health concerns, a Likert survey was created and disseminated to investigate the current issues regarding barriers of adequate care. Additionally, to identify the barriers of providing adequate care, student and health professional interviews were completed. The students involved in the interviews and questionnaires were recruited through LGBTQ Support Services Center on West Chester University’s campus. A needs assessment was also created to gain a better understanding of the health needs of the transgender student community. The available resources and services provided to the LGBTQ students at West Chester University were reviewed and compared to other colleges and universities.
RESULTS:
Students expressed that they felt the healthcare providers were underprepared to provide care and that their care could be improved upon. Through meeting with students and clinicians, a key barrier was the unfamiliarity with transgender health and in addressing transgender-specific health needs. It was also discovered that being unprepared to provide care, resulted in unconscious and implicit bias and the perpetuation of transgender exclusive practices.
DISCUSSION:
This project identified themes, barriers and areas of concern expressed by transgender students. By identifying these elements, further research can be conducted to better understand student’s perceptions and feelings when seeking healthcare, and whether these experiences impact health outcomes. The purpose of this project was to create an atmosphere geared towards providing healthcare services that are inclusive to all people of all gender identities. With the growing number of transgender students on college campuses, establishing welcoming health setting for students is very important.