A Narrative Inquiry into the Experiences of Cervical Cancer Screening for Transgender Men
Date
2024-06-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
0000-0002-4896-5675
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Doctoral
Abstract
This monograph-style dissertation delves into the experiences of cervical cancer screening (CCS) among four transgender men residing in Saskatchewan. CCS traditionally has been framed within the context of women's reproductive health, and it has seldom been inclusive of non-binary, gender-diverse, or transgender individuals. I noticed the need for more information when I started graduate school and began reflecting on my nursing practice. Nurses are usually providers on the front line who provide healthcare for transgender people. Nurses with advanced practice, including nurse practitioners, can routinely perform CCS. It was in my practice as a public health nurse providing CCS that I began to wonder about the experiences of transgender men and CCS. I wanted to come alongside transgender men to understand how to improve CCS experiences for transgender men.
In adopting narrative inquiry as the research methodology, I embraced a relational approach guided by the three-dimensional inquiry space: temporality, sociality, and place (Clandinin, 2013; Clandinin & Caine, 2013; Clandinin & Connelly, 2000). The narrative accounts intend to capture individual lives and the unique history of each participant. Participants met with me in person or over Zoom to engage in interviews spanning several months and engaged in open-ended conversations about life events influencing their CCS experiences. Narrative accounts shared multiple and layered details of their lives. Each participant has a detailed chapter where they shared not only narratives of CCS but narratives that explored the complex experiences within many different facets of life, including personal, social, and institutional stories (Clandinin & Rosiek, 2007). Within each person's narrative account, I found stories of how we can attend to people in a better, more holistic, and inclusive way.
It is increasingly important in today's political and social climate for healthcare providers (HCPs) to pay attention to the voices and experiences of transgender people. When exploring narrative threads across accounts, stories of healthcare, holistic health, and family and friends significantly shaped the participants CCS experiences. The narrative accounts of the four transgender men have implications across nursing practice, education, and policies. The stories embedded in this dissertation call for more inclusive, knowledgeable, and equitable care for transgender people in Saskatchewan.
Description
Keywords
transgender health, cervical cancer screening, narrative inquiry, health equity
Citation
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Department
Nursing
Program
Nursing