Abstract
Purpose: Gender Minority (GM) individuals experience healthcare access barriers, including financial concerns and discrimination, which influence their health seeking behaviors. This study explores the alternative navigation strategies used by GM individuals to cope with these barriers and access care, both biomedical and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with GM individuals (n=18) and healthcare providers (n=5) identified through purposive sampling. Semistructured guides were used to elicit information about healthcare seeking strategies and experiences. Transcribed interview data were coded, sorted, and analyzed for key themes. Results: Commonly discussed healthcare access barriers included the following: identifying a competent provider, costs and insurance obstacles, and anticipated discrimination. Respondents expressed a need for gender-affirming care within the biomedical system, and alternative navigation strategies to overcome access barriers, including travelling abroad for surgical procedures, ordering hormones online, and sharing with friends. Respondents discussed CAM principally related to emotional health, preferring CAM to biomedical offerings. Utilizing soc...Continue Reading
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