Interdisciplinary Transgender Veteran Care: Development of a Core Curriculum for VHA Providers

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The Veteran's Health Administration (VHA) recognized a need for specialized training in transgender healthcare.
• Interdisciplinary teams require education to address the unique needs of transgender veterans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the structure and content of a VHA training program for interdisciplinary teams on transgender veteran care.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of this training program.

Main Methods:

• A 7-month video teleconferencing program delivered 14 didactic courses and bi-monthly case consultations.
• Training targeted 16 interdisciplinary teams, each with mental health and medical providers.
• Focused on transgender veteran care, including hormone therapy, primary care, and psychotherapy.

Main Results:

• 111 providers across various disciplines completed the training in the first three waves.
• Learners reported increased knowledge, team cohesion, and anticipated treating more transgender veterans.
• 39 veteran-specific consult questions were addressed, enhancing practical application.

Conclusions:

• VHA providers are gaining essential knowledge and skills for transgender veteran healthcare through this program.
• The training, part of the Transgender Specialty Care Access Network-Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes (T-SCAN-ECO) program, is beneficial.
• The program's success suggests it could be a model for other healthcare systems and offers a pathway for continued learning.