Gender Uncertainty & Good Manners

[yakc130]

I just tell them I need it for the report and ask.

After that, instead of the usual "Mr" or "Ms," I'll resort to using their first name. And yeah, there are haters out there who will be pissed regardless of what you say.

I like what Ricky Nelson sang. "You can't please everyone, so, you've got to please yourself."

Edited December 28, 2013 by yakc130

[rock_shoes]

If I'm truly unsure as to a patient's sex I ask two questions.

Do you identify as male or female?

Genetically are you male or female?

Be simple and direct about it. Just be prepared to explain why it's medically relevant (Moby's abdominal pain example comes to mind). As far as gender specific language goes, refer to them as the gender they choose to identify as. Provided you are respectful, very few transgender individuals will take any offense to either of these questions.