PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER, HEALTH, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
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putting our trust in healthcare

3/9/2020

15 Comments

 
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  I met Daniel, who later is named Jessica, at my work. After multiple occurrences and some break downs we later became friends and she’s allowed me to describe our relationship and hers with healthcare for this assignment. I work as a service ambassador at a medical center. Essentially my job is to either check people in at the desk or kiosk and manage the floor of the waiting area. I’ve also worked the desk down at urgent care where we’ve shared some moments as well. I first met Jessica before she transitioned and was named Daniel. She was coming into her appointment with her provider to discuss the transitioning process. She was shy, scared, and alone. This was her first in-person visit with the provider and she didn’t know how trustworthy they were. She came alone because she wasn’t ready to discuss this change in her life with her parents just yet. Luckily, she found a primary care provider that she could trust and a friend in myself to help with her healthcare profile. But it wasn’t smooth roads throughout the whole transition process.
    There were times when she would come into family practice with questions on medication or urgent care and her primary care provider that she trusted was either not available or wasn’t in that day. She wasn’t able to be her true self and often held back the more personal details which could have been crucial to her care. Although providers were usually nice and welcoming, she just wasn’t comfortable enough to show who she really way. Even checking in at the desk she felt judged when her preferred name or gender was not acknowledged or expressed in conversation. Phone calls with her insurances were the worst, I was there ready with tissues for tears because of how stressed she got. Some things weren’t covered, they wouldn’t talk to my company about the legal name or sex changes, and essentially having things lead back to her parents before she was ready was a big problem. One big issue we had together was getting a certain medication refill. There was loss communication with the provider and the outside pharmacy about a self-injected medication that couldn’t be solved in a timely manner with the doctor of the day because of what was discussed one-on-one with Jessica and her provider. On our worst days she would leave without care because all the stress was too much to handle, and as a friend and employer I felt like I failed my job in both positions.
   When discussing sexual identity and how it affects their overall healthcare, Jessica really brought some realization to my eyes. She said she knows that providers are not supposed to reject patients due to their religion, lifestyle, choices, etc. but she always felt like she was being judged. It could be the smallest movement, tone, or look and she’ll start to get anxiety. She feels as if people are there to help her yet they’re holding back somehow. She still hasn’t defined it as reality or just her mind overthinking but feeling that way when seeking help is wrong and sad. No one should feel that way when being brave and reaching out. Just because people have different life decisions than you don’t mean they’re to be treated differently. We’re all humans. We’re all trying to live our happiest and most comfortable lives. 
-Darlina  

15 Comments
Jody Early
3/9/2020 11:18:11 pm

WOW! Thank you for sharing this story, Darlina! It tore at my heart but also strengthened my resolve to do more. We should all be so compassionate and supportive and work to dismantle all of the "isms" of our healthcare system as well as within our society. It starts with us. -Dr. Early

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Samantha Sinclair
3/10/2020 09:50:24 am

Hi Darlina, I enjoyed reading your post. It was meaningful to attach a real person and their story to this problem in healthcare. Gender transitioning is an issue in healthcare for so many reasons. Even though your facility was kind and considerate to Jessica, there were so many other parts that contributed to a stressful and chaotic experience for her. You mentioned a few of them including insurance refusal and mis-identification of gender/pronoun/name by staff. The process is hard enough on its own, as healthcare providers it would be ideal if we could eliminate the other factors that are under our control.

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haley barton
3/10/2020 01:49:59 pm

Hello Darlina,
Thank you for sharing your experiences with this this transgender patient. I also want to thank you for doing your part to advocate for quality care. Having someone to stand up for you during every phase of the health care process is very important to ensuring quality care. Especially for vulnerable patients such as Jessica, you might have been the only reason she would chose to come back for care at all. People like you are so important to our healthcare system and I am grateful to hear that have and will continue to advocate for quality care for all.

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Dezha S.
3/10/2020 05:38:02 pm

Hi Darlina,

Thank you so much for sharing this post and to Jessica for allowing you to share this part of her story. It is important to identify the key factors that come with transitioning not only for the person but for their families as well. It is sad to know that she had to go through this part of her transitioning alone because, support is such a big deal and could impact the smooth process of things but I am glad that she had you there. Not everyone agrees with or understandings pronouns and/or trans and some have ridiculous reactions so for her to find the support from a stranger is amazing especially in a place that brought so many tears to her eyes and boosted her anxiety. Thank you for your positive care and I wish nothing but the best with the rest of her transition and I wish her nothing but strength and support when having that discussion with her parents!

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Justice
3/10/2020 08:17:13 pm

Hi Darlina,
I have also experienced working with trans patients. One patient came in for urgent care. I can't remember if I was the one who set up their chart or not, but after their visit the provider asked me to change their gender marker in their chart. I wasn't able to change their gender marker because the patient hadn't changed their gender with their insurance company. If I changed their gender in the chart, there would be a small possibility that the insurance wouldn't cover their services. It was really difficult to have to discuss this with the patient because it shouldn't have to be such a struggle to identify the way they want to be identified.

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Marisol Bejarano
3/10/2020 10:04:39 pm

Hi Darlina,
I understand how it feels when you feel judged by others, especially when you're in a health center. Sometimes I feel like some doctors make you feel less becuase they think you're dumb and honestly it's sad. I think that docotrs need to understand how to make everyone feel welcome especially with something so new with gender change. Everyone deserves support and equal respect when you're looking for help!

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Janely Gonzalez
3/11/2020 06:49:50 am

Hi Darlina,
I really enjoyed reading your post! I think it’s so important that we learn about the experiences and obstacles that the trans and lgbtq communities can go through so we can work to be better and provide equal services/opportunities. Feeling comfortable and supported in doctors offices or anywhere should always be a priority regardless of gender identity, race, or income. Thank you for sharing!

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Dolma
3/11/2020 07:36:16 am

Hi Darlina,
Thank you for sharing your story. I also have experience working with LGBTQ patients while I was in Nursing school and have seen medical professionals' implicit bias towards LGBTQ patients. I see that some of the staff didn't knew they were harboring these biases towards them and it is not easy for them to accept that they have biases, especially as people who have chosen a helping career.

Some of the staff I've worked with also told me that "it's against their religion or beliefs" and I get it. But that doesn't mean they should treat them in a negative way and especially when they are working in a healthcare. Because patient's needs should come first in healthcare, not your personal beliefs.

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Jaya Cross
3/11/2020 11:32:37 am

Hello Darlina,

Thank you for sharing this post. That is really cool that you work as a service ambassador in the medical field. Reading this post shows how much of an important role you played in Jessica's life, and we count on people like you to make the health profession system greater. I could not imagine trying to find a doctor and they refuse to see me because of my race. Discrimination in the professional setting has to be addressed. Although someone may not agree with a patients lifestyle, they are still required to perform the same amount of professionalism as if they were cis gendered and Caucasian.

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Megan Pintok
3/11/2020 11:53:33 pm

Darlina, this story you have shared with us is eye opening and really allows us to gain a better understanding of how hard it is to feel accepted as who we are truly are in a society that is seemingly always judging and afraid to accept those who are different. It made me feel so sad to realize the amount of rejection, judgement, and bias LBGTQ individuals experience when reaching out in healthcare when they deserve a system that is discrimination free and provides care at a level that is safe and comfortable for everyone, regardless of who they are. Thank you so much for sharing.

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Allie Boyer
3/12/2020 10:31:37 am

Hi Darlina!
Wow I am just taken back by your post. I think the relationship you developed with Jessica is really special. It is so important for all patients to feel safe in any healthcare setting, especially with their providers. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. As future healthcare providers it our job to do something to improve this gap. You are definitely doing your part by being an advocate for Jessica and many others going through similar experiences. Thank you for sharing your story, it was so inspiring to read about your experience! Great job.

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Jordan Tomas
3/12/2020 06:20:48 pm

Hi Darlina!

I appreciate you sharing Jessica's story. It can be difficult for people like Jessica to live out their lives with no stigma, prejudice, and discrimination. It is important for health care institutions to establish a culture that reduces the stresses that may occur for the minority groups like the LBGTQ community. I remember getting educated about how to treat a person from the LBGTQ community and while it is a challenge at times because we are still getting used to the terms and what we are allowed to say, it is the due diligence of health care professionals and institutions to treat people as people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality.

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Isha
3/13/2020 06:59:28 pm

Hi,
Thank you for sharing this amazing and I think your friend is very to take on this journey. Transitioning is still something many people in society don't understand in my experience and it doesn't make easier for the people in process of transitioning. They need understanding and support and I think you really give that to your friend. Thanks again for sharing.

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Raiye Abunie
3/14/2020 07:21:34 pm

Hello Darlina,

Very touching and deep story! As I read your post, I came across a portion which I wanted to point out again. You mentioned, "she said she knows that providers are not supposed to reject patients due to their religion, lifestyle, choices, etc. but she always felt like she was being judged." Unfortunately we see those being mistreated due to their sexual identity, but we also need to understand that forms and methods of mistreatment vastly touch on all topics regardless of gender, sex, age, disability. But you are right, a concurrent issue that many are facing nowadays is discrimination and unfair treatment due to sexual identity.This often comes from the lack of knowledge or personal belief one carries for another to want to make that change in their life. Being able to support and be there for that person can go a very long way than displaying hurtful and negative acts.

Great Post!

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Ana Pekic
3/15/2020 10:53:03 pm

Hey Darlina,
Thank you for sharing this experience, this was truly a touching story with Jessica. I feel tremendously for her having to refrain from sharing information, as transgender people never know which closed mind they're going to face one day. This is especially terrifying as she made a big step in seeing a new provider, who can mishandle her care easily. The healthcare industry isn't easy to deal with for anyone, but even more so for people who are similar to Jessica. The fear she has to endure and the lack of care pains my heart and I hope one day our system fixes itself and truly cares for our society members.

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