Training healthcare providers to better support transgender and gender diverse veterans
Official title: Narrative-Based Cultural Humility Training to Ensure Affirming Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse Veterans Across Services: A Pilot Feasibility Study
Funded at Rlr VA Medical Center · NIH-10830967 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping doctors and nurses better understand and support transgender and gender diverse veterans by sharing real stories from TGD veterans, so they can provide more compassionate care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rlr VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2024 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I21HX003615-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10830967 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are transgender and gender diverse veterans who are seeking healthcare services within the VA system.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not veterans or do not identify as transgender or gender diverse may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the care provided to transgender and gender diverse (TGD) veterans by training healthcare providers through a narrative-based program called Identity Development Evolution and Sharing (IDEAS). The program includes a film featuring TGD veterans' stories followed by discussions with a panel of veterans, aiming to reduce stigma and enhance understanding among providers. The study will assess how this training impacts provider attitudes and its feasibility and acceptability within the VA healthcare system.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more affirming and effective healthcare for transgender and gender diverse veterans, ultimately improving their mental health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that narrative-based training can effectively reduce stigma and improve provider attitudes, suggesting a promising approach for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Rlr VA Medical Center
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wasmuth, Sally L — Rlr VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Wasmuth, Sally L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.