About the Author

Nic Tompkins-Hughes

Nic Tompkins-Hughes, BSW (Honors '20) is a social science researcher, community organizer, and advocate. Nic identifies as transmasculine non-binary and uses they/them pronouns.

Visit Nic's LinkedIn for an overview of their academic and professional experience Here.


Sections

Rainbow flag with a trans pride overlay and a multicultural pride fist.

Experiences of Transgender Adults Accessing Healthcare in Massachusetts

On June 12, 2020 the Trump administration finalized changes to a public rule within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The federally published rule enables healthcare providers and insurers to define sex and gender as a simple binary, and unchangeable.

This move comes as the latest in a string of attacks on LGBTQIA+ individuals and families in the United States, implemented without a vote or even the possibility of appeal.

During their undergraduate experience pursuing a Social Work degree, Nic Tompkins-Hughes, a transgender non-binary student at Bridgewater State University, reviewed the literature available on healthcare experiences of transgender individuals. With very few published qualitative data sets, Nic devised and executed an IRB Approved qualitative study interviewing transgender adults about their lived experiences with accessing healthcare in Massachusetts. These interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed in the School of Social Work using Grounded Theory. The resulting manuscript was accepted as an Honor's thesis by the School of Social Work in May 2020.

The study and results are now brought to life here in the hope of improving the landscape of heathcare access for all trans and gender non-conforming individuals.

This study would not have been possible without the support of Bridgewater State University, specifically the School of Social Work, the Undergraduate Research Department, and the Adrian Tinsley Program (ATP) for Undergraduate Research and Creative Work Summer Grants

Special thanks also to Honors thesis mentor Dr. Kathy Bailey, Associate Professor at the School of Social Work at BSU.

The lives, voices, and stories of transgender individuals have been silenced throughout history. This study and project lifts up only a few of those voices, but the information they provided was invaluable and informative. Deepest thanks go to the study participants, and to all those who helped with recruiting and supporting the design and execution of the study, as well as the analysis, translation, and presentation of the data.

A NOTE ON INCLUSION

Disclaimer: This study contained eight participants, all of whom identified as White. This study does not represent the whole of transgender experience, and unfortunately does not reflect the systemic challenges and oppression expereinced by BIPOC. Due to the nature of undergraduate research and IRB approvals, the study was unable to attempt additional recruitment after the end of the approved time frame.

Black Trans Lives Matter.

A transgender patient with a primary care physician.

Primary Care Relationships

Trends in the data show that strong relationships with trans-knowledgeable primary care providers can help reduce the likelihood of negative healthcare experiences.

(Photo from the Gender Spectrum Collection)


A model overview of trans healthcare access methods for identifying knoweldgeable and safe providers.

Intentionally Inclusive Healthcare

What does Intentionally Inclusive and trans-knowledgeable medical care look like, and how can we get there?

A trans patient patient experiencing discomfort in a doctor's office.

Self-Identified Transphobia

Participants had interesting perspectives on the negative experiences they had endured while accessing medical care, which often contradicted their perceived transphobia.

(Photo from the Gender Spectrum Collection)

Resources For inclusive transgender healthcare in massachusetts

Patients

Click here for resources on obtaining healthcare in Massachusetts as a trans person curtesy of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition.

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Medical Professionals

Click here for resources on creating a trans-inclusive healthcare environment in medical practices.

Everyone

Click here to submit a question to the author about the study, leave a general comment, or just say hello!