Cancer Screening for Transgender Patients: An Online Case-Based Module

Abstract

Introduction: Guidelines recommend that primary care providers complete organ-based routine cancer screening for all transgender patients. Training on critical transgender health topics like cancer screening, as well as residents' confidence in addressing issues their transgender patients may face, remains limited among graduate medical education (GME) programs. Online case-based modules are an effective tool for skills improvement in GME, but their application to transgender health topics has not been assessed. Methods: I developed a brief online module on cancer screening for transgender patients using Google Forms and offered it to first-year internal medicine residents. The module was optional and asynchronous with other didactics presented during an oncology-themed ambulatory learning block. Pre- and postmodule surveys assessed resident confidence in counseling transgender patients about cancer screening and sharing screening resources. Results: Fourteen of 60 interns elected to complete the module, with all participants submitting pre- and postmodule surveys. Respondents reported increased confidence in counseling transgender patients about appropriate cancer screening (mean increase on 5-point Likert scale of 1.29; confidence interval [CI], 0.81-1.76; p < .01) and increased confidence in discussing resources on cancer screening for transgender individuals (mean increase on 5-point Likert scale of 1.36; CI, 0.66-2.06; p < .01). Discussion: While knowledge gaps on transgender health issues like cancer screening remain significant among residents, brief case-based online modules, in conjunction with an expansion of traditional didactics, may help improve confidence among residents in addressing these critical issues with their transgender patients.