Providing gender-affirming hormone therapy through primary care: service users

Area of Science:

• Gender-affirming health care
• Primary health care services
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Primary health care providers are increasingly involved in gender-affirming health care.
• Gender diverse individuals require accessible and timely medical services.
• Existing models may present barriers to accessing gender-affirming hormone therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate service user and health professional experiences with a pilot primary care-based gender-affirming hormone therapy clinic.
• To assess the feasibility and impact of integrating gender-affirming care into a student health service.
• To identify facilitators and challenges in delivering gender-affirming hormone therapy within a primary care setting.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing in-depth interviews.
• Thematic analysis of interviews with service users and health professionals.
• Exploration of perspectives on accessibility, relationship-centered care, timeliness, and agency.

Main Results:

• Service users reported affirming care through accessibility, relationship-centeredness, and timeliness.
• Health professionals described partnership, affirmation of gender and agency, and adaptability.
• Concerns included inadequate funding and balancing mental health needs with timely care access.

Conclusions:

• Providing gender-affirming hormone therapy in primary care is valuable and feasible.
• Primary care models enhance accessibility, depathologize gender diversity, and reduce wait times.
• Further research and funding are needed to support these integrated models.