In this episode on the OT JEDI Podcast, I'm thrilled to welcome Sarah Vines, who shares her incredible work supporting individuals after top surgery. Sarah discusses best practices for gender-affirming care, the critical role of mental health in the process, and how occupational therapy can make a difference in the lives of transgender clients.

Resources

WPATH Standards 8: https://www.wpath.org/media/cms/Documents/SOC%20v7/SOC%20V7_English.pdf

A Clinician's Guide to Gender-Affirming Care: https://www.newharbinger.com/9781684030521/a-clinicians-guide-to-gender-affirming-care/

An introductory resource created by Dr. Sarah Vines is available on COTAD's site: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/606b6cc4347e673687921b0e/t/64f0d99a66448a49ac21e769/1693505950408/COTAD+Practicum+Project+%284%29.pdf

ACLU Legislative updates: https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights-2024

HRC state legislative map: https://www.hrc.org/resources/attacks-on-gender-affirming-care-by-state-map

Trevor Project 2024 stats: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2024/

References

De Brouwer, I., Elaut, E., Becker-Hebly, I., Heylens, G., Nieder, T. O., van de Grift, T. C., & Kreukels, B. P. C. (2021). Aftercare needs following gender-affirming surgeries: Findings from the ENIGI multicenter European follow-up study. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 18(11), 1921–1932. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.08.005

Kcomt, L., Gorey, K. M., Barrett, B. J., & McCabe, S. E. (2020). Healthcare avoidance due to anticipated discrimination among transgender people: A call to create trans-affirmative environments. SSM - Population Health, 11, 100608–100608. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.ssmph.2020.100608

Grant, J. M., Mottet, L. A., Tanis, J. J., & Min, D. (2011). Transgender discrimination survey. National Center for Transgender Equality and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force: Washington, DC, USA.

Mikulak, M., Ryan, S., Ma, R., Martin, S., Stewart, J., Davidson, S., & Stepney, M. (2021). Health professionals' identified barriers to trans health care: a qualitative interview study. British Journal of General Practice, 71(713), e941–e947. https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGP.2021.0179

Rosol, M., Rogers, K., Borsh, R., Pavlinec, R., Russell, M., & Russell, A. N. (2022). Occupational therapy students’ perceived preparedness to work with transgender clients. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.26681/jote.2022.060302

Stroumsa, D. (2014). The state of transgender health care: Policy, law, and medical frameworks. American Journal of Public Health, 104(3). https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2013.30178

Swenson, R., Alldred, P., & Nicholls, L. (2022). Doing gender and being gendered through occupation: Transgender and non-binary experiences. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 85(6), 446-452. https://doi.org/10.1177/03080226211034422

Occupational Therapy's Role in Gender Affirming Care