8 Comments
Do you have any preferences about the gender of your T1D healthcare provider?
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As long as the individual is knowledgeable about T1D and is a reliable provider, makes no difference about gender.
My son, about to turn 12, and diagnosed at 18mos of age, has had only female Endos since diagnosis. He has not yet expressed the desire to change.
I prefer but do not go out of my way to find a female. Female doctors are not that easy to find. I feel females can relate more to female issues relating to T1D or other issues. Females have very specific differences from males and someone who has walked in your shoes must naturally be more understanding and empathetic to your issues.
Having written this, I have to add that sometimes individuals are not empathetic AT ALL regardless of gender. 😊
I find that most of my endos and diabetes educators have been female. I was surprised that you said female doctors are hard to find.
Anita, definitely all the educators are female as well as support staff, but when I moved to Florida and was still working, all the endo’s that I considered, and there were only 4, were male. My first Endo was male in Baltimore and I had searched for a while to find him available. I called 4 offices and not one of them were taking new patients (back in 2002) so I took the first one who would take me. I found a female-run office for my primary when I came to Florida but when I actually made an appointment, they were not taking new patients and I ended up with a male. So – limited experience but they’ve all been male. I could probably drive further and find a female but not as important as convenience.
I have had wonderful providers of both genders.
My spouse has an absolutely fabulous trans guy or gal nurse who is knowledgeable, caring, and very current on medical issues. How can one do better than that? 🤗🎈