Online Transgender Health Information Seeking: Facilitators, Barriers, and Future Directions

Abstract

The purpose of this research project was to explore the experiences of trans people accessing health information online, including the sources they use to access information. Additionally, it aimed to address which aspects of extant online platforms are facilitators and barriers to searching for health information. To address these questions, I conducted three asynchronous online focus groups with 26 participants from across the United States. The main results substantiate and expand previous literature that discuss platform-specific policies that disproportionately block and exclude trans users. To my knowledge this is the first time these barriers are positioned in a trans health context. Lastly, the results posit design suggestions to improve existing and future platforms to better serve trans users. This research is highly relevant for increasing trans people’s access to relevant health information in alternate formats and reducing proliferation of inaccurate trans health information within online spaces.