Attitudes toward Transgender People among Future Doctors in Portugal: What has changed in the last decade?

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the changes in medical students' attitudes toward trans/gender non-conforming individuals in Portugal over a decade. The revised version of the Genderism and Transphobia Scale (GTS-R), along with socio-demographic questions, were sent as an online survey to the students in all medical schools in the country. The 2024 sample (N=268 students) was compared with a 2012 sample of students (N=992 participants) also from all medical schools in the country. In both samples, the majority were female participants, aligning with the gender distribution within medical education. The results indicate that Portuguese medical students show low intolerance levels about alternative gender expressions. A general trend toward slightly more positive attitudes was found among medical students in 2024 when compared to 2012. However, the trends by socio-demographic characteristics remained relatively consistent in both samples. Across both samples, female students (biological sex), students in the clinical years, participants with a non-heterosexual orientation, and those who were personally acquainted with trans people showed a more tolerant attitude regarding gender non-conformity, comparing to their counterparts. These results are indicative of an improvement in the acceptance and understanding of trans individuals within the medical community, but also highlights persistent trends. The impact of personal acquaintance with gender-variant people on the attitudes suggests that direct contact may play a significant role in shaping perceptions. The study points to the need for ongoing research to monitor trends in attitudes and to identify effective strategies for promoting inclusion and empathy toward gender non-conforming individuals within the medical profession. Despite the positive trend observed over the past decade, medical education might play a critical role in fostering the continuation of an inclusive healthcare environment.