Seeking medical care is a vulnerable experience for many, but for transgender patients and their loved ones, it can be especially fraught with discrimination, neglect, and even abuse. A recent study published by Fordham GSS Professor Cathy Berkman, Ph.D., showcases the realities transgender patients face in palliative care settings and emphasizes the urgent need for systemic change.
The study, titled “Disrespectful and inadequate palliative care to transgender persons” and published in Palliative & Supportive Care, surveyed 865 healthcare professionals, including nurses, physicians, social workers, and chaplains, asking if they had observed discriminatory care toward transgender patients in palliative care settings.
Unfortunately, the results confirmed they had:
- 21.3% of participants reported witnessing discrimination
- 85.3% observed disrespectful treatment, including misgendering, gossip, and privacy violations
- 35.9% saw inadequate care, such as delays, denials, or rushed treatment
- 10.3% witnessed outright abuse
Importantly, the study found that disrespect often led to inadequate care. This compounds harm and deepens the mistrust transgender patients feel toward the healthcare system.
The Impact on Patients and Families
Negative health care experiences extend beyond the patient. The study also highlighted cases where health care providers ignored or dismissed a transgender patient’s partner, consulting biological family members instead. This can result in unwanted medical decisions, emotional distress, and even violations of federal privacy laws like HIPAA.
The study emphasizes three critical areas for improvement:
- Institutional Change – Healthcare policies must be reviewed and revised to ensure they affirm the identities of transgender patients and support inclusive care.
- Legal Protections – As transphobic legislation rises across the country, stronger federal and state civil rights laws are needed to safeguard the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Education and Training – Healthcare providers must receive comprehensive training to treat transgender patients with dignity, competence, and respect.
Fordham’s Palliative Care Program
For those who want to make a positive impact in the palliative care field, Fordham’s Palliative Care Fellowship is one of the few programs in the country that specializes in educating MSW students to become expert practitioners in the field. Dr. Berkman is the program’s director.
Alongside specialized coursework and targeted field placement, the Palliative Care Fellowship offers Fordham MSW students access to professional development opportunities and mentorship from Berkman herself. This competitive program is the ideal opportunity to build expertise in an in-demand area of health care.
