Pharmacists’ role in transgender healthcare: A scoping review

Abstract

Background: Transgender patients have unique healthcare needs, providing pharmacists with the opportunity to play an important role in transgender care through addressing the healthcare disparities observed in this patient group.Objective: This scoping review aimed to explore the role of pharmacists in transgender healthcare. Methods: Six databases were searched from inception: Emcare, Informit, MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The first author performed screening and data extraction in consensus with co-authors. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was utilised to report this review. Themes related to the role of pharmacists in transgender healthcare were identified. Results: A total of 356 studies were identified; however, only 15 studies, all from the USA met the selection criteria and were included in this review. Study types included empirical research, practice reports and opinion pieces such as commentaries, editorials, and reports. Pharmacists were found to practise in two different care settings: community and interdisciplinary clinics, performing various roles in transgender healthcare, including patient education and counselling, management of cross-sex hormonal therapy, patient advocacy and provision of preventative care. They were also responsible for the provision of culturally sensitive care in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Although pharmacists considered their role important, they lacked confidence in their knowledge to provide appropriate care to this patient group. Conclusion: This review has highlighted that there is a need for education in transgender care for both pharmacists and pharmacy students, so that they are both confident and comfortable to play a meaningful role in transgender care. Pharmacists' involvement in addressing the health disparities experienced will contribute to improving the overall health outcomes for this group.

Review and evaluation of the role of a psychiatric pharmacist on medication management in a gender health program

“…To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide intervention measures highlighting the benefit of adding a pharmacist to a gender health program. Current literature focuses on assessing pharmacist and patient perceptions, emphasizing the need for education within the pharmacy curriculum, or strictly describing the pharmacist's role 8 . Despite knowledge of the mental health disparities that transgender people face, no study assesses the potential benefit of adding a psychiatric pharmacist to the interdisciplinary team.…”

“…Current literature focuses on assessing pharmacist and patient perceptions, emphasizing the need for education within the pharmacy curriculum, or strictly describing the pharmacist's role. 8 Despite knowledge of the mental health disparities that transgender people face, no study assesses the potential benefit of adding a psychiatric pharmacist to the interdisciplinary team. This benefit has been previously described in various practice settings and with different patient populations, excluding the transgender population.…”

“…Currently, there is no evidence about the use of psychiatric medications in gender diverse people. Current literature describes the role a pharmacist may have in a gender health program, specifically with hormone therapy and management of medical comorbidities 8 . However, this study did not discuss mental healthcare, nor does it supply interventions data related to psychiatric medication management.…”

“…Current literature describes the role a pharmacist may have in a gender health program, specifically with hormone therapy and management of medical comorbidities. 8 However, this study did not discuss mental healthcare, nor does it supply interventions data related to psychiatric medication management. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only study to provide intervention results for a psychiatric pharmacist in a gender health program.…”

Sociodemographic and pharmacotherapeutic profile of transgender persons from a specialized outpatient service in northeastern of Brazil

“…The desire to live as a person with a gender identity opposite to their biological sex can be associated with a feeling of inadequacy, which can lead the person to induce changes in the body at different levels to feel contemplated. Often, gender identity and desired physical characteristics that differ from sex at birth are associated with gender distress or dysphoria (Silva, Figuera, Allgayer et al, 2021) Epidemiological studies are still scarce, esteemed that approximately 0.1 -2% of the population worldwide identify as transgender persons (Chaudhary, Ray & Glass, 2021). In 2021, scientists from UNESP (Universidade Estadual Paulista) published the first population-based study representing Brazilian adults with gender diversity.…”