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T
here has been recognition that stigmatisation is a major
contributor to physical and emotional illness among
transgender sex workers (TSWs) (Mulia, 2002; Slamah Abstract
et al, 2010; Grant et al, 2011; Houston, 2011; Zunner Stigmatisation of transgender sex workers (TSWs) has been recognised
and Grace, 2012). Likewise, it is well-known among health as contributing to illness and poorer health outcomes for this
professionals that nurses are in a unique and powerful position population. It could be argued that part of this stigma comes from
as leaders and as frontline healthcare workers to improve the nurses. With their frequent face-to-face interactions with their clients,
quality of life and health outcomes for many clients, including nurses come from a unique place of power to influence the health
TSWs. Despite this, the unique needs and experiences of the outcomes and the feelings and thoughts that transgender sex workers
TSW population are largely overlooked in nursing education have about the healthcare system in general, and whether or not
curricula and in the continuing education of nursing graduates. they feel safe accessing it. Because there is very limited literature that
It is not surprising, therefore, that according to some researchers, explores stigmatisation of TSWs on the part of nurses, the needs of
TSWs often report that nurses discriminate against them, TSWs are scarcely being addressed. This article addresses why a higher
largely because of a lack of understanding and knowledge proportion of transgender people participate in sex work compared
of TSWs’ needs and experiences (Mulia, 2002; Slamah et al, with people in the general population; how stigmatisation by nurses
2010; Thornhill and Klein, 2010; Zunner and Grace, 2012). affects access to healthcare resources for TSWs; why nurses experience
The purpose of this article is to draw on published literature stigmatising thoughts and beliefs; and how nurses can create a positive
to highlight what nurses need to know and understand about impact on TSW clients. The authors have found that, although there
TSWs to provide respectful, sensitive care to this population. are a number of complex reasons for bias and stigma, it is extremely
The article will begin by providing an overview of important for the health of these clients that nurses put empathy,
transgender sex work, including why the proportion of sensitivity and compassion at the forefront of their practice.
transgender people who have experience working in the Key words: Transgender ■ Stigma ■ Sex work ■ Sex workers
sex industry is so high compared with that of the general ■ Health care ■ Stigmatisation
population, and how the stigmatisation of TSWs among nurses
can compromise their health and wellbeing. The article will
then discuss the research findings: how TSWs feel healthcare
workers stigmatise them; the various reasons that have been Sex worker
proposed why stigmatisation of TSWs is so prevalent; and how A sex worker is a person who receives money or goods in
the stigmatisation of TSWs by nurses negatively affects their exchange for sexual services (Overs, 2012).
access to, and willingness to engage in, the healthcare system.
In conclusion, the article will identify the implications of this Stigma
literature for nursing practice and education. Stigma can be defined as:
‘The process of marginalising a group or class
Definitions of terms
of people by others in a more powerful position
Transgender people
by labelling them as different and understand-
Transgender people are:
ing them in terms of stereotypes. This results
‘Those whose psychological self (“gender iden- in the loss of social status and discrimination,
tity”) differs from the social expectations for the and affects many areas of life for those who are
physical sex they were born with’ (Gender Equity stigmatised’ (Hartney, 2010: 1).
Resource Center, 2014).
The individual may or may not have undergone sexual
reassignment surgery (formerly called ‘a sex change’) or Kirsten Roche, Fourth Year Nursing Student, Thompson Rivers
choose to live daily as a member of the sex s/he identifies
© 2014 MA Healthcare Ltd
information a patient is willing to share about their health to a new situation (i.e. dealing with someone who has had
and their life. Chapmen et al (2011) noted that when a life experiences that one has not considered before) can result
person feels disrespected by healthcare workers, she can in the nurse feeling unclear on what to say—for example,
easily lose the sense of trust she has towards those workers, by which gendered words to address the patient (sir or
or not develop one at all. Once that has happened, she will madam?) and how to act. Lack of knowledge is another
be less likely to share information that is important in order challenge for nurses: not knowing what resources are
to provide the best possible care. Employment, lifestyle and available to these individuals in each community, or what
relationships affect one’s health greatly, and the less that the their specific needs may be, can easily lead to frustration and
patient discloses about those areas of her life, the less likely avoidance (Foster and Richmond, 2003).
the nurse is to know what kind of resources, information
or support the patient needs. This could also potentially Unexplored prejudice
contribute to misdiagnosis. One TSW said in an interview Some nurses may perceive themselves as open-minded and
about her healthcare experiences: supportive of all people’s differences, but then are presented
with a situation that challenges their openness to non-
‘If you’re already transgender, often you’re going
traditional views of gender. Perhaps on a purely cognitive
to hide the sex work part of things. Why would
level, they believe that everyone is entitled to live as they
you want to add more stigma? Many don’t
wish, but when put in the situation of working with a TSW,
want to be in the line of work and are ashamed
they experience a surprising emotional reaction and find
already—they’re self-stigmatising … they don’t
themselves unable to support the patient adequately or quell
want to add stigma from others as well. You’re on
their own judgements.
your guard when sharing information’ (‘Amy’,
In this situation, it is very important for nurses to reflect
Central Interior Region of British Columbia,
on why they are uncomfortable or what in their lives has
Canada: personal communication, 2013)
contributed to the development of these feelings. Exploring
Because care delays, mismanaged pain and inadequate this through self-reflection can help nurses to understand their
information about patients can worsen health outcomes, own reactions, and what can be done about them. It can be
nurses have a responsibility to prevent these things from helpful for the nurse to engage in discussions with someone
happening (Zunner and Grace, 2012). Nurses are in an they trust and feel comfortable with, in order to gain a deeper
excellent position, with their relational skills and frequency insight into the reasons for their negative feelings. Doing even
of direct patient care, to provide support and help for this a small amount of research on the challenges TSW face in
group of patients. society can also help nurses to become more empathetic to
the struggles and humanity of their TSW patients.
The reasons for stigma of TSWs among nurses
There are numerous factors that contribute to nurses’ Fear
stigmatisation of TSWs. The stigma may be due to the Fear of being ‘hurt’ by the patient is one reason why nurses
individual’s transgender status, the type of work she is stigmatise marginalised or disenfranchised populations
involved in, the lifestyle she lives, or other factors. (Maze, 2005). The prevalence of HIV for TSWs is higher
According to Zunner and Grace (2012: 62), reasons for than it is for other sex workers, and significantly higher than
discrimination may include ‘discomfort, prior experience, it is in the general population (Operario et al, 2008). There
unexplored prejudice, immaturity, poor self-esteem and so are many reasons for this. Inconsistent use of condoms is
on’. Other reasons may include parental or family attitudes, one, due in part to a saturated sex market (where, if the
religious and cultural beliefs, and fear. Chapman et al (2011) TSW insists on wearing a condom, the client may simply
found that nursing students were less or more supportive of go to another sex worker who does not). Another reason
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people depending on is the sharing of needles used for injection drugs, silicone
the student’s race, sex, religious beliefs, attendance at religious injections (Slamah et al, 2010), or hormones that may be
services, and having a friend who is openly gay, lesbian, either prescribed by a physician or bought on the black
bisexual or transgender, with Caucasian women who do not market (Thornhill and Klein, 2010). Although needle
consider themselves religious being the most supportive. exchanges are funded by provincial governments and are
common in Canadian cities, rural communities sometimes
Prior experience do not have them at all or have exchanges that are only
A common reason for discrimination against this population open on certain days of the week and at certain times,
is discomfort, resulting from lack of understanding, or prior thereby limiting access. Lack of knowledge of Canadian
interaction with transgender people or sex workers. If a law with regard to drug use also prevents people from
nurse has never knowingly interacted with a transgender accessing needle-exchange services. Although purchase and
person, the experience can leave the nurse at a loss. Meeting possession of clean needles is legal in Canada, possession of
someone who does not follow the traditional gender roles drug ‘paraphernalia’ is illegal, and the fact that the law does
© 2014 MA Healthcare Ltd
for that society—for example, a biological man who wears not include needles in its definition of paraphernalia is not
clothing that is typically reserved solely for women, or acting known by many drug users (Klein, 2007).
in a manner typically expected only of women—can cause One final reason for increased HIV rates among TSWs
feelings of discomfort for some people. In this case, exposure is that the risk of HIV transmission while receiving
to ask oneself, ‘Who is this person in front of me? What has Establish an environment of safety
brought her to these circumstances?’ While moving past one’s Establishing an environment of safety for marginalised
own opinions, values and biases is not always an easy task, it patients is a critical factor for offering supportive care. This
is a nurse’s professional responsibility to provide optimal care contributes to developing trust and helping the patient to
feel that she can be honest and open with her healthcare face when accessing health care and other resources, can
providers. One of the best ways to achieve this is to include help to broaden nurses’ understanding of the challenges
the patient in her own care, and to ask her how she can best this population faces and help them to see things from
be supported. a compassionate standpoint. Knowledge of some of the
For example, gender pronouns are something in transgender resources that are available in a particular community to
people’s lives that can make them feel excluded and transgender people and to sex workers is another important
disrespected if used improperly. According to author and tool that can assist each nurse in being able to connect TSW
trainer on transgender issues, Matt Kailey, generally it is patients with the support they need.
appropriate to use the pronoun that fits with the gender the Finally, if a nurse finds herself unable for whatever reason
person is ‘presenting’ (Kailey, 2014). For example, if the person to provide compassionate and non-judgemental care to TSW
is wearing a dress or is clearly dressed in clothes traditionally patients, it is important that she knows when it is time to get
thought to belong to women, it should be assumed that this another nurse to take over care of that patient.
person would prefer to be referred to as ‘she’. However, the
very best thing is to ask the patient directly. Conclusions
Some transgender individuals prefer male pronouns; some Working with TSWs does not need to be difficult, but it does
prefer female; others prefer lesser-used, non-binary pronouns require sensitivity, empathy and an interest in providing
such as ‘ze’ or ‘zir’ in place of ‘s/he’ or ‘his/her’. Non-binary optimal care to a population that has in the past been (and
pronouns (i.e. neither definitively male nor female) can be continues to be) treated with prejudice and ignorance. Nurses
especially preferred by transgender people who do not present are in an excellent position to create positive, therapeutic
in gender-normative ways. If other patients are around, bring relationships with their TSW patients. Success in this area can
the patient to a private place to avoid making her feel have an impact not only on short-term health outcomes, but
uncomfortable during the discussion. For the majority of on relationships between the health profession and
transgender people, being asked which pronoun they prefer marginalised populations as a whole. BJN
shows respect for the individual, and it shows them that they
have an ally among the staff, or at least someone with whom Conflict of interest: none
they can feel safe (Kailey, 2014).
Bauer G, Scheim A, Deutsch M, Massarella C (2013) Reported emergency
Discrimination or inappropriate staff comments department avoidance, use, and experiences of transgender persons in
According to the Ethical Nursing Care of Transgender Ontario, Canada: results from a respondent-driven sampling survey. Ann
Emerg Med 63(6): 713–20.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2013.09.027.
Patients, if you witness discrimination or inappropriate Epub 2013 Nov 1
Blanchard J, Lurie N (2004) R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Patient reports of disrespect in
comments made by other staff or patients in front of the the healthcare setting and its impact on care. J Fam Pract 53(9): 721–30
patient, there are several things that can be done. The first Canadian Mental Health Association (2014) Lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender people and mental health. http://tinyurl.com/oruqhq4 (accessed
option is to speak privately with that staff member later in 6 November 2014)
the day and raise your concerns. If this is not possible, or Chapman R, Nicol P, Shields L, Watkins R, Zappia T (2011) Nursing and
medical students’ attitude, knowledge and beliefs regarding lesbian, gay,
you do not feel confident addressing the other staff about it, bisexual and transgender parents seeking healthcare for their children. J Clin
Nurs 21(7–8): 938–45. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2011.03892.x
the unit manager should be asked to discuss the importance Dotinga R (2012) Biology Leaves Gay Men Highly Vulnerable to HIV: Study.
of treating all patients with respect. Equally imperative, if US News and World Report, 20 July. http://tinyurl.com/ctgmfs7 (accessed
6 November 2014)
not even more so, is to discuss it with the patient, if she is European Network for HIV/STI Prevention and Health Promotion among
willing. Explain that you saw what happened, that it was Migrant Sex Workers (2009) Sex work in Europe: a mapping of the prostitution
inappropriate, what you are going to do about it, and that
you are sorry it happened. Ask her what she needs to feel safe,
what you can do for her. Be sure to remind her to let you
KEY POINTS
know if she experiences anything else like that while there. If n Stigmatisation of transgender sex workers (TSWs) contributes to illness and
this type of behaviour becomes a regular problem on the unit, poorer health outcomes for this population
it is important to speak to the nurse manager of the unit, or
n Nurses, as leaders and as frontline staff, are in a unique and powerful
to the governing body of nursing in your province, state or
position to improve the quality of life and health outcomes for their clients
county (Zunner and Grace, 2012).
n Due to complex reasons including lack of opportunities and discrimination,
Know the issues a higher proportion of transgender individuals are attracted to sex work
Awareness of the high rate of domestic and partner abuse, compared with other genders
as well as other forms of abuse, is key. Assessments for abuse
n Not all transgender individuals involved in sex work are ‘victims’. Many
and for mental health should be conducted. Nurses should
are highly-educated, have high self-esteem, and choose sex work as their
discuss violence-prevention strategies with the patient and,
career. Reserving judgement is key to providing supportive nursing care to
if the patient is suspected to have been abused, the nurse
these populations
may discuss it with the patient and, if appropriate, notify the
© 2014 MA Healthcare Ltd
on-staff social worker if one is available. n Knowing the issues facing transgender people and sex workers can help
Having at least a preliminary understanding of the issues health professionals provide competent care that meets the particular needs
mentioned in this article, and other issues that relate to of these populations
TSWs, as well as being aware of the barriers that TSWs
updating the material of the original text, the authors have added two further
chapters: the first focuses on
how to critique research as part of the work of preparing a dissertation; and
the second on mental health
research agendas throughout Europe.
Nursing Research
The fundamentals of the book, however, remain the same. It focuses specifically
on critiquing nursing research
and the increasing requirement for nurses to become conversant with research
This second edition retains all the successful
the use of evidence to underpin practice.
and understand its link with
Having read this book, nurses should be more familiar with the approaches
features of the first, plus additional material and techniques involved in
critiquing nursing research and be able to utilise some of these skills and techniques
critique. Accordingly, they will be better placed to make informed judgements
in their own efforts to
regarding the quality of the
on psychiatric research and critiquing nursing
research paper and the value of the evidence reported.
As nurse education around the world increasingly moves towards an all-graduate
discipline, it is vital for
research when writing a dissertation.
nurses to have the ability to critique research in order to benefit practice.
those seeking to gain or develop precisely that skill and is a must-have for
This book is the perfect tool for
2nd edition
all student nurses, teachers and
academics.
ISBN 978-1-85642-316-8
or call our Hotline www.quaybooks.co.uk The new and updated edition of the best-selling book
+44(0)1722 716 935
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