A fight for health: my transgender journey for care

Inman, Aly (2020) A fight for health: my transgender journey for care. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (1MB)

Abstract

This critical autoethnographic study chronicles my personal journey accessing health care as a transgender person. Access to health care is a current issue for transgender people in Canada, particularly in Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island. This research addresses geographical and methodological gaps in the current literature by providing a rich and detailed description of my health care journey as a member of Prince Edward Island’s transgender community. This insider account intends to improve understanding, increase awareness, and facilitate meaningful health system and societal change. Personal memory data, self-observation/self-reflection data, and external data sets including my medical records, surgery denial forms, Facebook conversations, and personal emails were collected. Thematic analysis was conducted using a queer theory lens and revealed four major themes: ill health and personal transformation, privacy and safety, barriers and facilitators to care, and an ideal system and hope for the future. Four recommendations were generated: the need for a gender-affirming health care policy, better pathways to access medical transition related health care services, education and training for Prince Edward Island health care professionals, and an online information hub.

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