A new Yelp-inspired database of trans health care resources may help break challenging barriers that trans patients regularly face in the doctor’s office. The Referral Aggregator Database (RAD) Remedy, launched in June, now has nearly 2,000 resources submitted by providers, community organizations and patients across the country.
Like Yelp, users can add reviews to doctors or clinics based on their visits. Unlike Yelp, however, this service doesn’t just act as a handy consumer resource. It’s one of the few comprehensive care guides for a population in dire need of informed health care providers.
A 2011 NCTE study found much higher rates of HIV infection, smoking, drug and alcohol use, and suicide attempts in the trans community than the general population. That may partly be because transgender people don’t feel comfortable making regular visits to the doctor. Fifty percent of the trans patients surveyed said they have had to educate their provider about basic trans health.
RAD Remedy found similar results in its own survey sent to its target audience.
“[I’m] tired of putting off visiting the doctor for fear of bad care,” wrote one anonymous respondent.
“I generally have negative experiences with doctors who view my identity as psychologically ‘abnormal’ or as a medical concern and who spend time trying to tell me why that is rather than just listening to me define my own experience and tell them what I need from them or what my own concerns are,” wrote another.
For now, RAD is focusing on rural areas that lack diverse trans health options that are more available in urban settings.
“We have resources in each state to make sure everyone is reached,” said Bre Kidman, a member of RAD Remedy’s board of directors. “And volunteers are always adding new information.”
On RAD Remedy’s site, which is currently in beta testing, users can search for specific care geared toward their age, gender identity, sexuality, or defining experience (“undocumented” or “survivors of abuse,” for example) — and filter by specific payment or insurance options.
And it’s not just a source for basic health services, users can find yoga classes, housing options, massage studios and other extra services that are both welcome and specifically geared toward the trans community. The organization is fundraising to grow its database and improve functionality, and has a long-term goal of providing on-site training for providers across the country.
This piece has been updated with additional comment.