Primary Care and Transgender Youth: Care Experiences and the Need for more Comprehensive Care Provision

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth are a growing population. This paper aims to review the perspectives of TGD adolescents, their caregivers, and their providers regarding the care of TGD youth in the primary care setting and discuss how to create affirming clinical environments and provide quality primary care for TGD youth.

TGD youth and their caregivers report substantial difficulties finding pediatric primary care providers (PPCPs) who have experience providing affirming care. Similarly, PPCPs report a lack of knowledge and training that limits their confidence in caring for TGD youth.

PPCPs are well-positioned to improve health outcomes for TGD youth and provide the support TGD adolescents and their caregivers need. It is important for PPCPs to create inclusive clinical environments, understand the specific health needs of TGD youth, and educate themselves about how to provide affirming care.