Barriers to access inclusive healthcare services identified by transgender people in Buenos Aires province

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Access to health for trans people has historically been hampered by institutional stigma and discrimination. Despite the legal and social advances achieved in recent years in terms of recognition of rights, barriers to effective enforcement are still identified. The objective of this work was to describe the main barriers to access inclusive healthcare services and analyze the specific needs of trans people receiving healthcare in the province of Buenos Aires (PBA). METHODS: A subanalysis of a wider qualitative study conducted in 2017 is presented, its objective was to collect information on healthcare needs, accessibility and quality of care of health services specific for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population in eight healthcare providers of PBA. The sample was intentional, including 29 semi-structured interviews to social organization leaders and professionals, and 2 focus groups with trans masculinities and femininities, respectively. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Organizational and symbolic barriers were identified, especially in inclusive healthcare services functioning in hospitals. One of the symbolic ones was the persistence of pathologizing practices in mental healthcare. DISCUSSION: Inclusive healthcare services provide a satisfactory, but temporary response. It is necessary to adopt a cross-cutting gender perspective for all healthcare interventions.