As the literature suggests, there is an urgent need for a radical change in medical education curricula and practices. To address the issue of transgender health disparities, medical education and awareness must be improved. There is ample evidence that medical training programs in the United States do not even incorporate LGBTQ health curriculum – much less trans-specific curricula – and if such training is included, it often equates to less than a full eight-hour workday. . It goes without saying that a single course on LGBTQ health is completely insufficient and will not prepare medical students to adequately advocate for or care for their LGBTQ patients. A productive step to address this issue would be the creation of a national standard requiring accrediting boards and educational institutions to include more comprehensive LGBTQ health education in their degree and residency programs (Dubin, Nolan, Streed , Greene, Radix & Morrison, 2018). . With the help of the NASW and social workers around the world, this goal could be achieved. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"?Get an Original Essay One way social workers can help is to advocate for degree programs that offer more unique, individualized courses focused specifically on LGB healthcare and transgender health. care, the LGB community, and the transgender community (Dubin, Nolan, Streed, Greene, Radix & Morrison, 2018). Gender identity and sexual orientation are not synonymous; however, they are often grouped together, which can easily lead to confusion and overgeneralization. By separating the transgender population from the LGBTQ umbrella, students can better understand gender-based inequities within the collective LGBTQ community and healthcare system. In other words, health care and its outcomes may be entirely different between FTM, MTF, and non-binary individuals, thus justifying the individuation of these subjects. Additionally, by including courses focused on the history, development, and dynamics of LGB and transgender communities, training programs can increase students' awareness and general understanding of this unique population. In doing so, students are encouraged to look at the bigger picture rather than something as arbitrary as reproductive organs, for example. General education courses relating to the LGB and transgender communities may be taught from a broader, social work perspective rather than a social work lens. medical only. If social workers and institutions could encourage students to view LGBTQ people from a humanistic rather than a medical perspective, we could see a step change in health outcomes for this community. By challenging a perspective that views transgender people as a “medical abnormality” and instead viewing them as simply human beings, institutions would foster an environment of acceptance and compassion. One way to put this idea into practice would be to establish a habit of introduction and open discussions in class. For example, on the first day of class, instructors could set an example by introducing themselves, sharing their gender identity and preferred pronoun, and then asking all students to follow their lead (Wagaman, Shelton, & Carter, 2018). This practice would encourage respect, trust and ?, 2014).