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From Classroom to Operating Room: Addressing Shortcomings in Gender Affirmation Surgical Education.
Samuel G Robinson1, Alireza Hamidian Jahromi2
1Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
JMIR Medical Education
|June 4, 2026
Summary
The number of transgender youth has doubled, increasing the need for gender affirmation surgery (GAS). Current medical training and surgeon availability are insufficient to meet this growing demand for transgender healthcare.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Transgender Healthcare
Background:
- The prevalence of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth has doubled in five years.
- Gender affirmation surgery (GAS) is critical for treating gender dysphoria.
- Healthcare systems face challenges meeting the rising demand for GAS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the insufficient exposure to GAS in current medical education.
- To examine the uneven distribution of GAS practitioners.
- To advocate for a reevaluation of medical training for TGD care.
Main Methods:
- This is a viewpoint article.
- Analysis of current medical education curricula.
- Examination of GAS practitioner distribution and training pathways.
Main Results:
- Medical education provides insufficient exposure to GAS for students and surgeons.
- There is an uneven distribution of GAS practitioners across medical specialties.
- Lack of formal training and board certification in GAS is evident.
Conclusions:
- Current medical education inadequately prepares practitioners for TGD healthcare needs.
- Addressing barriers like limited training and surgeon availability is crucial.
- Reevaluation of medical education is essential to ensure quality GAS for the TGD population.
