Just Read: A Transgender Military Internist’s Perspective – #WhatADoctorLooksLike

This article, published in JAMA Internal Medicine describes the personal journey of a physician who is now serving as their authentic self:

…today I serve as a female physician in every respect within the Department of Defense. Last month, I graduated the Army Medical Department’s Advanced Course with honors, and now I look forward to the sec- ond half of my military career being treated like any other capable military physician.

The commentary, by Jamie Henry, MD (@MAJ_JLee_MD), concerns another paper in the journal

Schvey NA, Blubaugh I, Morettini A, Klein DA, KL M, G B. Military Family Physicians’ Readiness for Treating Patients With Gender Dysphoria. JAMA Intern Med [Internet]. 2017 Mar 13 [cited 2017 Mar 16];104(7):e5–6.

which, sadly, shows an important part of our profession unprepared, and in some cases, unwilling to provide care to their patients in need.

Depending on how full your glass is, the figure that 76% say they can provide “non-judgemental care” is either good or bad.

  • Good, because 24% admit that they have bias. To not admit bias leads to more harm and errors, multiple studies show this.
  • Bad, because 24% of physicians will provide care in a biased fashion, which is harmful
  • Good or bad: The 76% who say they can provide “non-judgemental care” may have hidden biases. The literature here is also helpful – there is the “illusion of objectivity” which describes the idea that people who believe they are not biased can be the most biased in their behavior (see these posts on my blog about this).

As Dr. Henry states, there is still a long way to go.

At the same time, how incredible is it that a person can have this aspiration, and fulfill it, because the only prerequisite is that they are human.

I went to medical school for a number of reasons, but primarily I wanted to heal—myself and others.

  • heal society too, which is what will happen, as we change forever #WhatADoctorLooksLike

Also noting the work of Jesse Ehrenfeld, MD – @DoctorJesseMD – working to be an ally for the LGBTQ community.

Love this century 🙂 .

Ted Eytan, MD