Implementation of transgender and gender diverse curriculum in medical imaging programs: A review of the literature

Introduction: Sexual and gender minority patients experience significant inequities when accessing health care. Transgender and non-binary patients are at an even greater risk of experiencing health disparities due to their specialized health care needs. In the discipline of medical imaging, limited cultural competence, social stigma, and cis-heteronormative environments are barriers for these patients. There is an urgent need to improve medical imaging care for transgender and non-binary people; inclusion of sexual and gender minority content in medical imaging curriculum is one strategy to begin to address this need. Method: A review of the literature was undertaken to explore implementation of sexual and gender minority content in the curricula of medical imaging programs. Results/Discussion: Three main themes were identified: 1) educators’ acknowledgement of the importance and value of adding sexual and gender minority content to healthcare curriculum; 2) educators’ lack of a sense of preparedness, experience, and knowledge to adequately teach this content: and 3) lack of resources and institutional support to help develop curriculum. Conclusion: Including content in the curriculum related to the needs of transgender and non-binary patients will help ensure entry-to-practice Medical Radiation Technologists are better prepared to provide inclusive care.