Trans broken arm syndrome: A mixed-methods exploration of gender-related medical misattribution and invasive questioning

Catherine S J Wall; Alison J Patev; Eric G Benotsch

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115748

Trans broken arm syndrome: A mixed-methods exploration of gender-related medical misattribution and invasive questioning

Soc Sci Med. 2023 Mar:320:115748. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115748. Epub 2023 Jan 30.

Authors

Catherine S J Wall¹, Alison J Patev², Eric G Benotsch³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. Electronic address: wallcs@vcu.edu.
² Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. Electronic address: patevaj@vcu.edu.
³ Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA. Electronic address: ebenotsch@vcu.edu.

PMID: 36736052
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115748

Abstract

Rationale: Gender-related medical misattribution and invasive questioning (GRMMIQ), colloquially known as "trans broken arm syndrome," is a form of medical discrimination faced by transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients wherein a provider incorrectly assumes that a medical condition results from a patient's gender identity or medical transition. This phenomenon may take one of two forms: (1) the incorrect and explicit misattribution of gender identity or medical transition as being the cause of an acute complaint, or (2) invasive and unnecessary questions regarding a patient's gender identity or gender transition status.

Objective: Using mixed-methods procedures, this study aims to explore the incidence, some common correlates, and manifestations of GRMMIQ.

Methods: American TGD participants (N = 147), recruited through an online recruitment platform, completed questions assessing their experiences in the healthcare system including lifetime incidence of GRMMIQ, outness to healthcare providers, and additional experiences of gender-related discrimination in a medical setting. Participants who indicated experiences of GRMMIQ were asked open-ended questions about one such experience.

Results: Nearly one-third of participants reported experiencing GRMMIQ. Experiences were associated with outness to acute care providers and other types of gender-related discrimination in healthcare settings. Analysis of qualitative data revealed four primary themes: (1) assumptions of disordered thinking and being, (2) hyperfocus on aspects of medical transition, (3) cultural ignorance and incompetence, and (4) dismissiveness of the patient.

Conclusion: Together, these results enhance the understanding of an underexplored aspect of medical discrimination faced by TGD individuals while highlighting commonalities across different experiences.

Keywords: Healthcare quality; LGBT; Mixed methods; Stigma; Transgender.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Arm
Female
Gender Identity*
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Male
Sexual Behavior
Transgender Persons*