General practitioners (GPs), obstetrician-gynecologists,
urologists, psychiatrists and clinical psychologists (total N = 202) were
randomly surveyed to assess their knowledge of the syndrome of
transsexuality and their attitudes toward transsexual patients and sex
reassignment surgery. A low return rate, though, requires that the present
data be interpreted prudently.
Where possible, the current findings were
compared with the attitudinal data published in 1966 by Green, Stoller and
MacAndrew. Over this interval an increasingly liberal and favorable trend in
attitudes was noted amongst all medical specialties. 'Liberal' refers to a
willingness to recommend a surgical remedy and 'favorable' refers to a less
psychopathological perspective of the syndrome and greater social acceptance
of these individuals.
In the present sample GPs tend to hold the
most conservative views, while clinical psychologists consistently endorse
the most liberal positions. No differences emerged among the five groups of
health care professionals on the factual knowledge assessment.
Citation:
Soc Sci Med 1986;22(5):535-9 an article published on the Internet by PubMed
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/>
