Cyclical uncertainty: Healthcare providers and gender affirming care in Central Appalachia

Participants held inconsistent definitions for what <i>Gender Affirming Care</i> means, but did not express confusion or uncertainty about the importance of providing GAC as part of primary care. Hesitation to treat was most often associated with a lack of self-confidence in a provider's ability to provide appropriate care to patients. This suggests a misunderstanding or lack of education related to the health needs of this population, and specifically a lack of awareness that providing GAC goes beyond the provision of transition related medicine.