The results of a survey administered at an American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists conference have now been published. Research was lead by Michael S. Irwig, MD, of George Washington University and was published in the journal Endocrine Practice.

While endocrinologists and other providers have received more education and training on transgender care within the past decade, self-rated comfort levels with discussing gender identity and/or sexual orientation and competency to provide transgender care is still rated relatively low.

The survey, which was conducted at a meeting for endocrinologists in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. with 125 conference attendees, found that 63 percent of those surveyed were willing to provide transgender care, but the majority of providers had no current transgender patients under their care. Irwig also found that 50 percent of those surveyed had read the Endocrine Society's transgender clinical practice guidelines - with 70 percent of those under the age of 40.