Medical record and data collection forms

Since gender recognition law is still not applied in Thailand, transgender people are often faced with stigma and discrimination on the basis that their gender identity is different from the gender marker displayed on their identification document. This often brings stress and uncomfortable feelings to transgender people in many different situations. It is also part of the reasons many transgender people try to avoid going to healthcare facilities because of their fear of being questioned, judged or mistreated. To create an accepting and welcoming atmosphere, apart from having transgender friendly staff, service providers should also take the following points into consideration when setting up the medical record or data collection forms.

1. All forms should be transgender friendly. If there is no medical restriction, transgender clients should be free to use gender title and name that they prefer on any related forms, such as OPD card, medical report, referral form, appointment card, and etc.
2. When collecting personal or demographic information of the transgender client, both for regular health service and for research purposes, apart from questions about biological sex or sex assigned at birth, the inquiry should also include options on gender identity. Study from the United States shows that the question on gender identity helped improve the accuracy of individual’s personal information and helped disaggregate the population more precisely.
3. When composing letters or certificates, sending mails, parcels or leaving phone messages, service providers should ask the clients what name or pronoun they like to use in advance. There may be cases where trans clients would prefer or need their legal name/title/pronouns to be used in documentations or communications. It is helpful to have this information clearly marked in records for all staff including administrators.

Refer: Health Service Implementation for Transgender People, The Thai Handbook of Transgender Healthcare Services, Center of Excellence in Transgender Health, Chulalongkorn University