‘There’s a lot that could have been done’: Primary healthcare professionals’ considerations on providing sexual healthcare to transgender and gender diverse people

This study examined how healthcare providers in municipal primary healthcare clinics regard the provision of sexual healthcare or promotion to transgender and gender diverse people. Previous research is sparse and shows that care situations can be difficult and distressing, especially for the patients but also for the caregivers. Reflexive thematic analysis was applied when analysing semi-structured interviews with eight healthcare providers employed by primary healthcare centres in the south of Sweden. The analysis resulted in four themes (i) Two aspects, many pitfalls, (ii) External changing winds, internal lulls and resistance, (iii) Strong emotions while wanting to do good rather than harm and (iv) Arbitrary navigation following one’s own compass while wishing for guidance. Despite good intentions among participants, a substantial gap between sexual and reproductive health and rights policy and everyday practice protruded. Additionally, culture within these primary healthcare clinics appears to hinder professionals’ abilities and possibilities to promote sexual health to transgender and gender diverse people.