Queering the doctor’s Office: A co-cultural examination of doctor-patient communication

This research examines transgender individuals and their communication with doctors when visiting the doctor’s office. A co-cultural theoretical framework was used to identify which communication strategies transgender individuals utilized when interacting with healthcare professionals. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 self-identifying transgender individuals that had begun the medical transition process (i.e. hormone replacement therapy, surgery, etc.). Results of a thematic analysis reveal that transgender individuals faced several challenges when entering the healthcare context. Data analysis reveals transgender individuals used five particular communication strategies to help them accomplish their healthcare goals.