Does your organization use gender inclusive forms? Nurses' confusion about trans* terminology.
OBJECTIVE
To describe nurses confusion around trans* terminology and to provide a lesson in Trans* 101 for readers.


BACKGROUND
Of the estimated 9 million persons in the United States of America who are identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, about 950,000 (0.2-0.5% of adult population) are identified as trans* (a term that encompasses the spectrum, including transgender, transsexual, trans man, trans woman and other terms). The Institute of Medicine (2011, The health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people: Building a foundation for better understanding. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC) identified transgender persons as an understudied population with significant need for health research, yet the nursing literature contains little guidance for educating nurses on trans* issues.


METHODS
This is a mixed methods structured interview design with nurse key informants. The scripted interview was based on the Health Care Equality Index, which evaluates patient-centred care to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients and families. These data were part of a larger research study that explored the current state of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-sensitive nursing practice.


METHODS
Undergraduate nursing students recruited and interviewed 268 nurse key informants about gender inclusive forms (capable of identifying trans* patients) at their agencies.


RESULTS
Only 5% reported use of gender inclusive forms, 44% did not know about inclusive forms, 37% did not understand what a gender inclusive form was and 14% confused gender with sexual orientation.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrated a critical need for education in gender identity and sexual orientation terminology.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of understanding of concepts and terminology may affect basic care of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender patients especially those who identify as transgender.
School of Nursing, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Rebecca
R
Carabez
School of Nursing, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Marion
M
Pellegrini
School of Nursing, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Andrea
A
Mankovitz
Department of Health Education, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Mickey
M
Eliason
School of Nursing, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Megan
M
Scott
D001727:Bisexuality; D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D018452:Homosexuality, Female; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D063106:Transgender Persons; D014481:United States
clinical education; diversity; education and practice development; gender; human rights; inequalities in health; nurse education; sexuality