Challenges with providing gender-sensitive care: exploring experiences within pediatric rehabilitation hospital

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived challenges with providing a gender-sensitive care approach among pediatric rehabilitation care providers.

Methods

Using a qualitative needs assessment design and a purposive sampling strategy, we recruited clinicians from a Canadian pediatric rehabilitation hospital. We conducted interviews with 23 pediatric rehabilitation healthcare providers (19 women, 3 men, 1 transgender man) from a range of disciplines. Three coders performed a thematic analysis of the transcripts.

Results

Our analysis revealed the following themes regarding the perceived challenges in providing a gender-sensitive care approach: (1) a lack of training and experience; (2) gender differences and stereotypes; (3) binary documentation and potential for misgendering; (4) the complexity of gender identity; and (5) the gender of the clinician.

Conclusions

Pediatric rehabilitation care providers face many challenges in offering a gender-sensitive care approach and need further training and systemic support.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Awareness of the challenges in providing gender-sensitive care could be an important first step in helping to address inequities.

• Systemic and interpersonal barriers may impede the provision of gender-sensitive care among rehabilitation providers.

• Clinicians need more training and support in how to provide gender-sensitive care.

Keywords:

• Pediatric
• gender
• qualitative
• health care providers

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the participants and the staff who contributed to this study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this study was provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research-Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (CIHR-SSHRC) Partnership Grant (01561-000 and 895-2018-4002) and the Kimel Family Fund through the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.