Demographic characteristics, long-term health conditions and healthcare experiences of 6333 trans and non-binary adults in England: nationally representative evidence from the 2021 GP Patient Survey. Issue 2 (2nd February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saunders, Catherine L; Berner, Alison; Lund, Jenny; Mason, Amy M; Oakes-Monger, Tash; Roberts, Meg; Smith, Jack; Duschinsky, Robbie
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 13:Issue 2(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02-02
• Subjects: PRIMARY CARE -- Quality in health care -- HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION & MANAGEMENT; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068099
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: In order to address the lack of data on the health and healthcare needs of trans and non-binary adults, NHS England includes questions asking about both gender and trans status in its surveys to support quality improvement programmes. We used self-reported data from the GP Patient Survey to answer the research question: what are the demographic characteristics, health conditions and healthcare experiences of trans and non-binary adults in England? Design/setting: Nationally representative, population-based cross-sectional survey in England with survey data collection from January to March 2021. Participants: 840 691 survey respondents including 6333 trans and non-binary adults. Outcomes: We calculated weighted descriptive statistics, and using logistic regression explored 15 long-term physical and mental health conditions, and 18 patient experience items, covering overall experience, access, communication and continuity. Results: Trans and non-binary adults were younger, more likely to be from Asian, black, mixed or other ethnic groups and more likely to live in more deprived parts of the country. Age-specific patterns of long-term conditions were broadly similar among trans and non-binary adults compared with all other survey respondents, with some variation by condition. Overall, inequalities in long-term health conditions were largest for autism: OR (95% CI), 5.8 (5.0 to 6.6), dementia: 3.1 (2.5 to 3.9), learning disabilities: 2.8 (2.4 to 3.2) and mental health: 2.0 (1.9 to 2.2), with variation by age. In healthcare experience, disparities are much greater for interpersonal communication (OR for reporting a positive experience, range 0.4 to 0.7 across items) than access (OR range 0.8 to 1.2). Additionally, trans and non-binary adults report much higher preference for continuity 1.7 (1.6 to 1.8), with no evidence of any differences in being able to see or speak to a preferred general practitioner. Conclusion: This research adds up to date evidence about population demographics, health and healthcare needs to support healthcare improvement for trans and non-binary adults.