From inequality to better practice: Healthcare access in five European countries from the perspectives of trans people and healthcare practitioners. A 2016 TGEU survey.

Trans people across Europe face considerable barriers in accessing healthcare. In order to generate practical solutions to improve the health of trans people in Europe, Transgender Europe, TGEU, conducted a study in 2016 in... [ view full abstract ]

Trans people across Europe face considerable barriers in accessing healthcare. In order to generate practical solutions to improve the health of trans people in Europe, Transgender Europe, TGEU, conducted a study in 2016 in five European countries on trans people’s access to healthcare: Georgia, Poland, Serbia, Spain, and Sweden.

TGEU, the organisation coordinating the study, is a European human rights network of currently more than 100 member organisations in 42 countries working for the equality of all trans people. TGEU combines advocacy work on the European level with work on the national level in partnership with its members and has established itself as a strong voice for the trans community in Europe. The data from this study will inform TGEU’s health policy. Five strong member organisations are national partners for the survey: WISG, Trans-Fuzja, Gayten-LGBT, Fundacion Daniela, and RFSL.

TGEU’s research for this project focuses on experiences of trans people when accessing healthcare, with the goal of identifying alternative access models and working towards best practice. This project highlights current... [ view full abstract ]

TGEU’s research for this project focuses on experiences of trans people when accessing healthcare, with the goal of identifying alternative access models and working towards best practice. This project highlights current deficits in provision while exploring ways to reach and inform healthcare professionals to optimize the quality of healthcare for trans people.
This oral presentation will present preliminary results from the 2016 TGEU study and identify strategies for implementing respectful, non-pathologising access and treatment, while looking towards future research projects.

TGEU used a largely quantitative approach in two online questionnaires with two target groups: trans people who access healthcare and healthcare practitioners. Research was limited to five European countries (Georgia, Poland,... [ view full abstract ]

TGEU used a largely quantitative approach in two online questionnaires with two target groups: trans people who access healthcare and healthcare practitioners. Research was limited to five European countries (Georgia, Poland, Serbia, Spain, and Sweden) in order to generate comparative data and manageable outcomes over a short period of time. Case studies highlight healthcare situations in these five countries, which were selected to represent variation between countries and healthcare systems in Europe based on preliminary analysis and previous studies.

The study will be measured by sample size and response, analysed comparatively across the five countries. Training for providers, based on the results of the survey, is being coordinated. The oral presentation expects to... [ view full abstract ]

The study will be measured by sample size and response, analysed comparatively across the five countries. Training for providers, based on the results of the survey, is being coordinated.

The oral presentation expects to present the study, while providing space for an exchange of experiences in trans healthcare and healthcare provision.

The study’s outcomes will be shared through training for providers; a report of the study; and a paper to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Preliminary results will be available by April 2017. By surveying healthcare providers in each country, not only trans healthcare users, the study presents experiences from both sides of healthcare: trans people accessing... [ view full abstract ]

Preliminary results will be available by April 2017. By surveying healthcare providers in each country, not only trans healthcare users, the study presents experiences from both sides of healthcare: trans people accessing healthcare and practitioners providing treatment. These experiences are being evaluated to create training modules for healthcare professionals across Europe.

By April 2017, TGEU will have a preliminary analysis of trans healthcare provision in the five European countries studied. By also targeting healthcare practitioners, areas will be identified from the professional perspective... [ view full abstract ]

By April 2017, TGEU will have a preliminary analysis of trans healthcare provision in the five European countries studied. By also targeting healthcare practitioners, areas will be identified from the professional perspective for specific improvements in trans healthcare. The compared responses in each country, aided by data from previous studies, will highlight areas for improvement, identify alternative access models for trans-specific healthcare and promote best practices which will be compiled to create innovative training modules for healthcare professionals across Europe.