How radiographers can improve gender awareness in diagnostic imaging
While radiographers rely on medical records and their professional experience to treat patients, many may not have the knowledge to interact with those in the transgender community.
A knowledge gap exists between what radiographers don't know and should know about gender identity in diagnostic imaging, wrote Sidsel Pedersen, MRT, and Virginia Sanders, MRT, in an editorial published May 24 in Radiography.
Ionizing radiation and patient communication are well-known concepts for radiographers, but questions such as, "What is the gender spectrum? What defines a transgender patient? What adaptions, if any, are needed in our department?" may remain.
The gender spectrum
"Awareness of the gender spectrum is of the highest value to healthcare professionals when dealing with gender diverse patients," wrote the authors. "Once we understand the spectrum and adjust our knowledge and skills appropriately, we can affect better patient care."
Since starting their research in 2016, Pedersen and Sanders explained they have come to understand that the more than 20 known genders, including transmale (a biological female transitioning to male, or one who has transitioned), transfemale (a biological male transitioning to female, or one who has transitioned), cisgender (an individual whose biological sex is congruent with their gender identity and gender expression) and non-binary (an individual who does not identify or express as male or female).
Additionally, being aware of gender identity (how we think about ourselves), gender expression (how we externally express ourselves), biological sex (determined by what reproductive organs we were both with) and sexual orientation (who we're attracted to physically, emotionally and spiritually) are essential for radiographers to better communicate and care for their transgender patients, the authors wrote.
A transgender patient's biological sex is the most important factor a radiographer must know—and it should never be assumed.
"In the diagnostic imaging department, we can make transgender and non-binary patients feel safe and comfortable when we have proper communication tools in place," the authors wrote. "It is our responsibility to protect the public from ionizing radiation, in particular, protection of reproductive organs."
Helping the gender diverse community
Finally, Pedersen and Sanders suggest radiographers can help make this a clinical reality by doing the following:
- When addressing a patient, ask for preferred name and pronouns and use them throughout the examination.
- Establish one's legal name respectfully and privately to ensure the right patient is being examined.
- Conduct sensitivity training to increase radiographers' knowledge of the need of the transgender community.
- While performing an x-ray, a radiographer should make the experience as comfortable and respectful as possible.
In addition to these suggestions, the authors created a "SIGE (Sex, Identity, Gender, Expression) Form" that would could be given to every patient requiring an x-ray exam and asks questions about preferred name, pronoun(s), whether the patient's reproductive organs are internal or external and explains that such questions are being asked for safety and courtesy purposes.
"By giving every patient the opportunity to fill out this form, we are removing any biases based on perceived ideas of bio- logical sex or gender expression," the authors wrote.
A recent graduate from Dominican University (IL) with a bachelor’s in journalism, Melissa joined TriMed’s Chicago team in 2017 covering all aspects of health imaging. She’s a fan of singing and playing guitar, elephants, a good cup of tea, and her golden retriever Cooper.