Question

A nurse working on a medical-surgical unit admits a new patient who identifies as transgender. This patient has been called the wrong name and referred to by the wrong pronoun at the nurses’ desk. The patient is scared and wants to leave the hospital. What can the nurse do to develop trust, create comfort, and keep the patient engaged in care? and what should be done to the nurses who mistreated the patient?

Answer 1

Transgenders experiences discrimination in almost every sector including health care. This may lead to decrease their physical and mental illness. In my opinion nurses should be trained to deliver high quality care to transgenders. I will make a positive approach to them. They are also humans and have the same rights as humans. I will counsel them and make them understand their rights. They should be considered as other patient and have to give the same respect and health care to them. If i find unsure about their gender identity or if i need more clarity about how they would like to be addressed i will ask them politely. Nurses should not disclose their identity to others who are unnecessary to know about. Only discuss the patient’s gender issues in a private area with care and sensitivity. Make sure that nurses are giving them a psychological support and introduce them about voluntary and community based support groups that exist. These firms will help them to build a great confidence in them. They can come to have their health care at any time in any hospitals.

In my opinion nurses should be first trained to treat transgender peoples regarding their rights and health care to be provided. Training regarding how patient self identity is vital for their improvements in disease conditions and the importance of patient nurse trust is given. Those who are mistreating the transgender should be bothered about the laws against them for denying the medical treatment to one. They can improve their interpersonal and clinical skills by working with these communities. Always keep in mind that to get a best patient outcome there should be a good trust and positive relationships between nurses and patients.