Course Summary
Many rural communities face difficulties with access to mental and physical healthcare. Barriers to quality healthcare such as socio-economic status, limited social support, or gender identity often make finding a health provider more difficult. Transgender and gender-diverse people face these barriers, especially when they try to seek access to healthcare in rural communities where a gender-affirming provider may not be available. When gender-diverse individuals are unable to locate needed care, the risk of having a mental health diagnosis and/or a higher risk of suicide is increased. With the rise in telehealth access, an opportunity exists for gender-diverse people to make connections with peers and other healthcare providers more able to assist them. The research focused on the difficulties that transgender and gender-diverse people face within the current healthcare system is discussed.
Course Format
Homestudy
Course Syllabus
- Introduction
- Transgender and Gender Diverse People
- Gender-Affirming Healthcare and State Policy
- Disparities in Access to Healthcare
- Healthcare in Rural Areas
- Provider Shortage
- Case Studies: TGD Access to Rural Healthcare
- Summary
Author
Alex Holter, AA, BA, MS
Alex Holter has a Bachelor of Art in music, Associate of Art in psychology, and his Master’s of Science with emphasis in Clinical Psychology, research, sex therapy, and clinical counseling. He has worked in the field of mental health in Helena, Montana, including with LGBT+ populations of all age groups. Alex has a passion for helping people in his professional role to access evidence based health care with a high focus to integrate the healing arts of music and other creative fine arts aimed at treating the whole person. He also works with suicide prevention, trauma-based services, educating others on psychosocial issues, and advocating for better mental health care access both nationally and globally. When not working or writing, Alex enjoys playing his violin and viola or enjoying the outdoors with his dog and family.