New GP-led group to strengthen transgender care

GPs are seeing more trans patients in their practices and want to know how to better support them, according to Dr Michelle Dutton, inaugural Chair of the newly endorsed RACGP Specific Interests Transgender and Gender-Diverse Healthcare.
 
The new group was launched last week to help improve GP access to information and support around caring for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people by linking them with evidence-based resources and educational opportunities.
 
‘This group is needed because there is very little education and training on trans health and gender-affirming care in either the medical school or GP curricula,’ Dr Dutton told newsGP.
 
‘It is a way that we can come together to support and learn from each other and create networks and resources that can benefit GPs and their TGD patients across Australia.
 
‘[One of our key objectives is] building relationships with GPs and working together to create communities of practice that help support each other in our learning and practice.’
 
A Melbourne-based GP, Dr Dutton currently works with Orygen Youth Health, headspace and Northside Clinic and has a special interest in TGD care, LGBTQIA+ health and mental health, and advocates for primary care access to these services.
 
As Chair, she is looking forward to leading ‘an incredible group’ of founding members who bring a wealth of experience and expertise.
 
‘Together we look forward to working with the GP membership as well as other organisations that support trans people, to create a system where trans people can get great healthcare through their GP and where GPs can feel confident, supported and rewarded in this,’ she said.
 
‘We also want to be part of expanding the evidence base in TGD health. The majority of the studies in TGD healthcare have been done in the past 10 years and done in tertiary settings.
 
‘There is a much more to be done to consolidate the evidence around providing optimal care.’
 
One of the group’s objectives is to encourage and support GP-led research into issues impacting TGD people, as well as encouraging other organisations undertaking research into TGD healthcare to involve GPs in their study design and implementation.
 
‘This will help ensure that research is meaningful, relevant and applicable to general practice,’ Dr Dutton said.
 
Hospital gender clinics across Australia almost universally have wait lists in excess of 12–18 months, often longer, creating a major barrier to patient care. Dr Dutton believes many of the patients on these wait lists could be effectively cared for in primary care – provided GPs are adequately supported to do so.
 
‘The landscape of trans healthcare has changed rapidly in recent years as there is increased visibility, acceptance, and celebration of trans identities,’ she said.
 
‘More trans people are coming out to and requesting medical care from their GPs. GPs want to provide their patients with the best possible care but often feel isolated and uncertain as to how to do this.’
 
Dr Dutton says there are two sides to the advantages of joining the new RACGP Specific Interests group: GPs will not only help contribute to supporting this growing area of healthcare, but it will help to upskill them in their practice.
 
‘New members can expect to receive information on new educational opportunities in TGD healthcare, and links to great existing resources that can support them in their practice,’ she said.
 
‘There will also be opportunities to connect with other likeminded GPs – both Australia wide and within more local networking events.
 
‘We are looking at organising a meet-and-greet event at WONCA for new group members to connect, brainstorm and be inspired as to what we can achieve together.’
 
More information for members interested in joining RACGP Specific Interests Transgender and Gender-Diverse Healthcare is available on the RACGP website.
 
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gender-diverse health LGBTQIA+ RACGP Specific Interests transgender health