Dados do Trabalho

Title

The Power of Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Integrating Mental Health Professionals in Multidisciplinary Care of Transgender Individuals

Objective

This study aimed to analyze narratives of transgender patients received at the primary care clinic for transgender people by the multidisciplinary team of the State Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (IEDE) in Rio de Janeiro. Our interest in undertaking this study stemmed from observing narratives of transgender patients, which provided us with a broader understanding of the intricate issues they face, particularly pertaining to the reconfiguration of their roles within society, as well as the profound consequences encountered within familial and social contexts. As researchers, we participated as listeners in team meetings comprising a psychologist, endocrinologist, nurse, social worker, and psychiatrist, engaged in patient screenings at the clinic, and, based on that, noticed that most patients shared past experiences being subjected to discriminatory behavior by healthcare teams in other care centers. In this context, based on the analysis of the psychological interviews conducted during patient screening, we observed that the vast majority of individuals reported experiencing anxiety, insecurity, feelings of worthlessness, family/social isolation, and distress arising from the fear of not being able to access medical treatment for gender affirmation. It is important to highlight that patients’ negative perceptions towards medical care, regardless of the intentions of the healthcare professionals, may lead to feelings of discomfort and mistrust, ultimately discouraging transgender individuals from seeking specialized medical assistance, for example. Numerous patients reported perceiving insensitivity towards their gender identity from the medical staff at care centers, including the use of incorrect pronouns (for example, referring to a transgender woman as “he”). Nevertheless, our experience as listeners during patient screenings and team meetings highlighted the dedicated and respectful approach towards the patients demonstrated by the IEDE team. Our findings suggest that the thoughtful and considerate approach adopted by the multidisciplinary team at IEDE, which incorporates mental health professionals, empowers patients to shape their coping strategies and pursue more adaptive means to mitigate both potential challenges and anxiety experienced during treatment. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of fostering collaborative efforts between healthcare professionals and mental health practitioners within assisted reproduction centers. Finally, it is imperative to recognize and address inherent anxieties associated with medical care while also ensuring the availability of collaborative psychosocial support networks. Such initiatives are vital in enhancing the overall quality of life for transgender individuals.

Methods

The methodology used in this study encompassed literature review and data collection from research articles pertaining to the topic. A systematic review of national and international literature was carried out between March and December, 2022 on databases such as the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Google Scholar, and PubMed. After the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 articles were identified. Most studies were international, qualitative in nature, with a specific emphasis on evaluating the quality of care delivered to transgender individuals by multidisciplinary teams.

Results

The literature review consistently revealed that transgender individuals often perceive inadequate support from healthcare professionals, which has also been identified based on the patient reports from the IEDE healthcare clinic.

Conclusion

We emphasize the importance of establishing collaborative efforts between healthcare professionals and mental health practitioners within assisted reproduction centers, as done at the IEDE. This integration is crucial for effectively addressing the unique needs of the transgender population. The extensive healthcare experience provided to transgender individuals at the aforementioned clinic highlights the vital importance and need for effective interdisciplinary teamwork in facilitating and delivering comprehensive care for these patients.

Keywords

Transgender narratives, interdisciplinary teamwork, quality of healthcare.