In this episode, Dr. Gopi Shah discusses the role of ENT in gender-affirming care with facial plastic surgeons Dr. Daniel Knott of UCSF and Dr. Rahul Seth of Golden State Plastic Surgery. This episode is the second half of a two-part series featuring Drs. Knott and Seth.

First, the surgeons emphasize the importance of understanding terms related to gender identity and using patients’ correct pronouns. Relative to the general population, transgender individuals face higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and serious mental illness, all of which shape their interaction with the healthcare system. Then, using California as a case study, doctors Knott and Seth discuss strategies that successfully increase access to gender-affirming care. The episode finishes by addressing how insurance coverage, clinical research, education and advocacy shape gender-affirming care.

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SHOW NOTES

00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast

01:23 - Understanding Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals

03:06 - Challenges Faced by Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals

08:55 - The Role of Otolaryngologists in Gender Affirming Care

17:02 - The Impact of Insurance and State Laws on Access to Care

28:40 - The Importance of Education and Advocacy in Gender Affirming Care

40:21 - Closing Thoughts and Final Remarks

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RESOURCES

Dr. Knott's and Dr. Seth’s Facial Plastic Clinic:

https://ohns.ucsf.edu/facialplastics

Backtable ENT Ep. 148 – “Facial Masculinization in Gender Affirming Care with Dr. P Daniel Knott and Dr. Rahul Seth:”

https://www.backtable.com/shows/ent/podcasts/148/facial-masculinization-in-gender-affirming-care

Backtable ENT Ep. 125 - “Gender Affirming Voice Care with Sara Schneider MS, CCC-SLP and Dr. Mark Courey:”

https://www.backtable.com/shows/ent/podcasts/125/gender-affirming-voice-care

Backtable ENT Ep. 27 – “Facial Feminization with Dr. Sarah Saxon:”

https://www.backtable.com/shows/ent/podcasts/27/facial-feminization

Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology chapter covering facial masculinization surgery:

https://www.optecoto.com/article/S1043-1810(23)00011-8/fulltext

ENTtoday: “Gender Affirmation Surgery in California,” Suresh Mohan, MD, Rahul Seth, MD, and Daniel Knott, MD:

https://www.enttoday.org/article/gender-affirmation-surgery-in-california/

ENTtoday: “Transgender Care: Otolaryngologists Can Help Fill an Unmet Need for This Patient Population,” P. Daniel Knott, MD and Rahul Seth, MD

https://www.enttoday.org/article/transgender-care-otolaryngologists-can-help-fill-an-unmet-need-for-this-patient-population/

Otolaryngologic Clinics of America August 2022 issue – “Gender Affirmation Surgery in Otolaryngology:” https://www.oto.theclinics.com/issue/S0030-6665(22)X0004-2

“National Variation of Insurance Coverage for Gender-Affirming Facial Feminization Surgery,” S. Gadkaree et al.:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32865436/