AHRQ’s Web M&M Addresses Gender Variance in the Clinical Setting

The current issue of AHRQ Web M&M features a Spotlight Case describing an 8-year-old child, born male, who identified and expressed externally (e.g. clothing, haircut and behavior) as a girl. The child’s mother had alerted the clinic of the child’s preferred name in making the appointment, but the medical staff was not aware of the preference and called for the patient in the waiting room using the child’s masculine name instead. The clinician apologized for the error and suggested that the mother contact the ombudsperson’s office to comment on how communication could be improved in the future care of her child. The Perspectives on Safety section of the issue features an interview about safety in radiology with Rebecca Smith-Bindman, M.D., a national leader on the impact of radiologic testing on patient outcomes and the safety of radiographic imaging. Safety in radiology is also the topic of an article by Antonio Pinto, M.D., Ph.D., Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy, who explores how to mitigate risks associated with radiology procedures. Select to read the current issue of AHRQ Web M&M.