What is the clinical gaze?
The term "clinical gaze" refers to the way that medical professionals view patients and their conditions. It involves seeing people through a specific lens based on medical training, knowledge, and expertise, rather than considering them as individuals with unique experiences. In transgender healthcare, this can create barriers to authentic self-expression and discovery for trans clients.
Transphobia and discrimination
Unfortunately, transphobia and discrimination are common in many healthcare settings. Clinicians may make assumptions about gender identity based on physical appearance, voice pitch, or other characteristics. They may also be unfamiliar with relevant research and best practices for caring for trans clients. This can lead to misdiagnosis, mistreatment, and delays in care.
The impact on self-discovery
When clinicians look at trans clients through a narrow lens, they limit the possibilities for understanding and supporting their experiences.
Some clinicians may see transmasculine clients as having body dysmorphia because of their desire to have breasts removed, even though this is often part of their lived experience. This can leave clients feeling invalidated and misunderstood. Similarly, nonbinary clients who don't fit into traditional binary categories may face challenges finding doctors willing to support them in exploring their identities.
Strategies for changing the gaze
To address the harmful effects of the clinical gaze, clinicians must work to improve their own education and awareness around transgender issues. This includes learning about current research and practice standards, attending training sessions or conferences focused on LGBTQ+ healthcare, and seeking out mentorship from colleagues with expertise in these areas. It also involves listening to trans clients directly, rather than assuming that their needs can be understood through generalizations or stereotypes.
Trans clients themselves can advocate for their own needs by educating clinicians, asking questions, and seeking out affirming providers who are more likely to support their unique journeys. This requires patience and persistence, but it can help create a more positive and empowering healthcare experience.
How does the clinical gaze influence the experience of self-discovery in trans clients?
The concept of the "clinical gaze" refers to the power dynamic between healthcare providers and patients that can shape the latter's sense of identity and agency. In terms of transgender individuals, it is often suggested that the clinical gaze perpetuates a narrow view of gender as a binary construct that limits opportunities for self-exploration and discovery.