Two years of innovative dermatological care: the first public health consultation service for the transgender and gender diverse community in Argentina

Abstract

Background

The LGBTQI + community encounters distinct healthcare challenges due to discrimination and inadequate understanding of their needs. Dermatologists play a crucial role in addressing this by fostering inclusiveness, recognizing individual concerns, and adopting tailored approaches, thereby promoting a more equitable healthcare system.

Objective

To address the need for an inclusive healthcare space, the authors established the first dermatological practice exclusively for transgender and non-binary patients. This article presents a comprehensive two-year experience in a public hospital.

Methods

The authors conducted a retrospective and descriptive study, analyzing the medical records of 114 patients evaluated at a specialized dermatological practice between June 2021 and May 2023. Key variables assessed included self-identified gender, age, residence, access to private healthcare, human immunodeficiency virus status, hormonal treatment, surgical interventions, consultation motives, employment stability, and family support during gender expression transition.

Results

The present study included 114 patients, 49.1% trans men, 39.5% trans women, and 8.8% non-binary individuals. Trans men, on average younger than trans women (p < 0.001), predominantly sought care for body modification-related concerns, particularly acne and androgenetic alopecia. In contrast, trans women exhibited a more diverse range of consultation motives typically unrelated to hormonal or surgical procedures.

Study limitations

This study is retrospective and limited in geographic scope. Additionally, the patient population lacked diversity in terms of Black ethnicity.

Conclusions

The pioneering dermatological practice for transgender and non-binary patients exemplifies healthcare equity and cultural competence. Effective LGBTQI + healthcare requires addressing unique dermatological concerns while fostering inclusiveness and continuous learning within the medical community.