The nurse comes in and lets you know you do not have strep throat. She says to take ibuprofen as needed. As you get into your car, you keep thinking about the interaction with the doctor. You decide to follow up with your own primary care the next week.
In this digital exhibit, you will walk in the shoes of a trans person to experience the lived reality of many trans individuals. In this experience, you will be a trans woman. Trans women are typically assigned male at birth (AMAB) and live as women. These experiences are not universal to all trans women, but they are pulled from actual lived experiences. You are on your way to an urgent care because you have a sore throat.
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It's the weekend, and your throat hurts so bad you can barely swallow. You decide you need to see a doctor, but the office you go to is closed. You head to urgent care. You fill out all the paperwork, including the surgeries you have had. Your ID has your old name on it because you haven't had the money to update it yet, but you let the front desk know the name you use now. When the nurse calls you back, she calls out the wrong name. You feel the stares of other patients.
What do you do?
She apologizes and uses the correct name.
You both go into the exam room.
You wait for about 10 minutes for the doctor in the exam room. She enters the room, greets you and examines your throat. She says that the nurse will be back to do a strep test, but before she leaves, she gestures toward her groin and asks, "Have you had THE surgery?" You sense the doctor's hostility. Do you answer?
Bottom Surgery Information
The doctor nods and leaves the room. You are left feeling uncomfortable. You wonder why she asked about your bottom surgery when this visit is about a sore throat.
At your primary care visit, your doctor shares that she attended a breakout session on trans patients at a recent conference. She was surprised at how much discrimination trans people face in the healthcare systems. She ask what your most difficult experience has been with healthcare. Do you tell them about what happened at urgent care?
The doctor expresses concern for your experience. She thanks you for sharing and says she appreciates your insight.
The doctor examines your throat and determines you do have some irriation. She suggests an over-the-counter medication.
Trans people experience high rates of discrimination within the medical setting. Over 70% of
respondents to one survey experienced stigma and negative interations with htealth care
providers. These types of interactions make it difficult for trans people to seek dare. In
addition, many doctors are note well educated about trans patients' care.
How can you help? Offer to go to the doctor's office with trans loved ones, be aware of trans
healthcare bills being introduced in your state and vote for poiticians who support trans
rights.
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