Strategies to Create a More Gender Identity Inclusive Learning Environment in Preclinical and Clinical Medical Education

Abstract

Recognition of the spectrum of gender identities has been a recent phenomenon in the medical profession. Over the past 20 years, medical literature related to gender identity diversity has increased several-fold, yet it more commonly addresses clinical care rather than aspects related to medical education. Medical educators continue to struggle with appropriate language and inclusive approaches when discussing gender-based aspects of medical education. Reproductive health education, including obstetrics and gynecology clerkships, is particularly vulnerable to missteps and anachronisms regarding gender identity. This article aims to provide preclinical and clinical medical educators with strategies to identify and predict situations where missteps related to gender identity inclusivity may occur in their curriculum or learning environment, and to develop approaches to improve gender identity inclusivity within medical education. The authors explore 3 areas that commonly pose challenges for medical educators: inclusive language and terminology, anatomy education, and reproductive genetics and genetic counseling. They hope the tools and strategies provided here will be useful to reproductive health medical educators across specialties to enable the realization of a more inclusive learning environment in reproductive health.