Table 6 Recommendations for clinical encounters

- Reflect the language patients use to describe their reproductive organs and bodies (e.g., chest feeding rather than breast feeding; or “front hole” instead of vagina)

- Plan to educate yourself, rather than relying upon your patient to teach you.

 o See table on resources

- Be open to your patients’ expertise and learning when they want to share.

- Explain why sensitive questions are relevant; ensure these questions are clinically meaningful and not motivated by idle curiosity.

- Continue to maintain good medical care and judgment, do not attend so entirely on being gender savvy that you neglect routine protocols.

Note: there is a long history of transgender people facing abuse, objectification, and neglect both within and beyond healthcare settings; this may frame your encounters.