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November 10, 2021

NYC Chapter of the International Association for Clinical Research Nursing (IACRN) & The Heilbrunn Family Center for Research Nursing host an Educational Program on the Health and Research Needs of the Transgender Population
By Rita Devine, MPA, RN

Although there is a strong perception by researchers that there is a lack of representation from members of the transgender community in clinical research, there are few data on their actual representation in clinical trials. Approximately 2 million people in the United States identify as transgender and they have specific health needs that are not currently adequately met. Thus, there is a need to educate health care providers and staff about transgender physical and mental health, as well help health care providers and staff develop cultural competencies (defined as a range of cognitive, affective, and behavioral skills that lead to effective and appropriate communication) so that they are better able to serve this community.

On Tuesday September 14, the NYC Chapter of the International Association of Clinical Research Nurses (IACRN) together with the Heilbrunn Family Center for Research Nursing hosted the webinar “Making Clinical Research Transgender Inclusive.” This webinar presented to clinical research nurses an introduction to the transgender community.  It highlighted important information and strategies for the inclusion of transgender individuals in clinical research. 
 
The speakers were staff members from the Gender Multi-specialty Service at Boston Children’s Hospital and clinical research staff from Massachusetts General Hospital.  Kate Millington, MD, an attending physician and Mar Barrera, BA, a clinical research assistant from Boston Children’s Hospital and Mary Larkin, RN, MS, Nurse Director and Mallory Hillard, MSN NP AGPCNP-BC Nurse Practitioner from Massachusetts General stressed the importance and urgent need for readily available and accurate information about transgender physical and mental health needs. The transgender community needs should be included in Cultural Competencies training programs that are commonly required in health care facilities.  A highly interactive question and answer session with the 68 attendees followed the presentations, moderated by Elizabeth Ness, MS, RN from the NIH/NCI and an IACRN member.