Invitation to Participate in Study on Healthcare Providers’ Experiences of Providing Gender-Affirming Healthcare in South Africa
Dear Healthcare Provider,
You are invited to participate in research on healthcare providers’ experiences and thoughts on the provision of gender-affirming healthcare (GAH) to transgender and gender diverse (TGD) clients across South Africa.
Many TGD people report having endured ill-treatment, gate-keeping and discrimination in their pursuit of GAH in South Africa. Therefore, they are understandably careful when accessing and selecting healthcare providers (HCP). HCPs who consider themselves allies can find themselves in a predicament when balancing the aspiration to provide person-centred and affirming healthcare, with concerns about the potential consequences should they make a mistake, hesitate or refer. Historically, HCPs have little to no training in GAH, so aside from openly transphobic HCPs, many HCPs want to help, but don’t know how. Should they decline, the consequences can be harmful to both the HCP and the client in dire need of GAH.
The research forms part of a broader PhD dissertation on suicide, life-threatening behaviour and trans and gender diversity in South Africa. The aim of this study is to contribute towards the development of a theory explaining why South African TGD individuals are at high risk for engaging in suicidal and life-threatening behaviour. The results from this study can potentially benefit health professionals working with TGD clients as well as add to the general body of work on suicide prevention.
Your participation is entirely voluntary and you are free to decline to participate. If you say no, this will not affect you negatively in any way whatsoever. You are also free to withdraw from the study at any point, even if you do agree to take part.
Inclusion criteria:
- Any professional who provides – or is considering providing – healthcare treatment or advice in the field of gender affirming healthcare, can include: medical doctors, psychologists, nurses, social workers, therapists and other allied providers
- You do not have to be an ‘expert’ – HCPs with any level of experience can participate; perhaps you’re wanting to provide GAH, but haven’t had any clients yet – your insights are welcome
- You have to be working in South Africa
Interviews will take place online using a platform of your choice, (e.g. Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams etc.) at a time that is convenient to you. Interviews are approximately 30-40 minutes. Only the researchers will have access to the audio recordings of your interviews. Your identity will be protected and confidentiality will be maintained.
This study has been approved by the Health Research Ethics Committee at Stellenbosch University (021 808 9003) and will be conducted according to the ethical guidelines and principles of the International Declaration of Helsinki, South African Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Ethical Guidelines for Research.
If you have any questions, or are interested in participating, please do not hesitate to contact Jenna-Lee de Beer-Procter on 082 815 6446, via email: research@queerpsychologist.co.za or by using the contact form below.
You will have until July 31st, 2022, to participate.