New Study by Pembroke Lecturer Explores Use of Gender-Inclusive Language in Healthcare

Gender-inclusive language is increasingly recognised as essential in healthcare to ensure respectful and equitable care for transgender and gender-diverse individuals. But how is it used in practice by students and staff, especially in Obstetrics and Gynaeocology (O&G)? 

A recently published study co-authored by Pembroke Stipendiary Lecturer in Medicine Dr Jack Amiry seeks to answer that very question. Titled ‘Exploring the use of gender-inclusive language amongst health care students and staff in obstetrics and gynaecology,’ the paper examines how O&G clinicians and learners in a UK teaching hospital understand and use gender-inclusive language, and how this varies across generations and hierarchical levels. 

"This research mattered to me because discussions around gender-inclusive language in healthcare are often reduced to opposing camps, which can obscure the experiences of the patients most affected by these conversations” shared Jack. “In areas such as obstetrics and gynaecology, language can carry significant emotional and personal weight, particularly when patients are at their most vulnerable. We wanted to explore how students and clinical staff working in these environments think about gender-inclusive language in practice — not simply whether they support or oppose it, but how they navigate its meaning, purpose and challenges within patient care and clinical education."

The study found that whilst attitudes towards the use of gender-inclusive language differed across generations and roles, all participants stressed the importance of respectful communication with patients. While there was a perception that students were potentially more familiar with - and in favour of - using gender-inclusive language, they often found it difficult to challenge their superiors in the hierarchical world of healthcare. Supportive training, dialogue, and structured opportunities for juniors to teach upwards could enable improved care for gender-diverse patients.

You can read the full study here.