Embracing gender affirmative models in patient-centered care: a narrative research study exploring culturally competent health care practices of athletic trainers who have delivered care to transgender and gender nonconforming patients.

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20406264

Athletic trainers are health care professionals who are expected to provide quality patient care regardless of their patient's background, including their gender identity. Health care disparities exist within the transgender population due to limited research on transgender health care along with a lack of education and resources for providers. Given the need for additional information, this narrative study looked to explore the experiences of athletic trainers who have engaged in professional relationships with transgender and gender nonconforming patients. Eight athletic trainers from different regions of the country shared their stories through semi-structured interviews. The data collected throughout this process revealed four themes and twelve subthemes. The overarching themes included: 1) Commitment to holistic development, 2) Creating a safe environment, 3) Providing patient care, and 4) Considerations within the organization. --Author's abstract