In our latest QueerCME podcast episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Os Keyes (they/them), a trans scholar and researcher whose work spans technology ethics, sociology, and healthcare. Dr. Keyes is a PhD candidate at the University of Washington’s Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering and the inaugural recipient of the Ada Lovelace Fellowship. Their research critically examines how technological systems and healthcare practices intersect with issues of gender, disability, and race .

Together, we delved into the lesser-known histories of transgender health clinics, exploring how the integration of research into care delivery has sometimes led to unethical practices. Dr. Keyes shared insights from their extensive research, highlighting how early gender identity clinics often prioritized data collection over patient autonomy, reducing the complexities of trans lives into quantifiable metrics .

This conversation is a must-listen for clinicians and healthcare providers committed to anti-oppressive, patient-centered care. Dr. Keyes challenges us to reflect on the historical and ongoing dynamics that shape trans healthcare and to consider how we can do better.

Listen to the full episode here!

Key Takeaways:

• The historical entanglement of research and care in trans health clinics.

• The ethical implications of prioritizing data over patient autonomy.

• The importance of centering trans voices in healthcare decision-making.

About Dr. Os Keyes:

Dr. Os Keyes is a researcher and advocate whose work focuses on the ethical and political impacts of technology and healthcare systems on marginalized communities. Their interdisciplinary approach brings critical perspectives to the design and implementation of systems that affect trans and gender-diverse individuals.

Join the Conversation:

We invite you to listen to this enlightening episode and reflect on how historical practices inform current healthcare delivery. Share your thoughts and continue the discussion on our social media platforms using the hashtags:

• #QueerCMEPodcast

• #TransHealthHistory

• #EthicalHealthcare

Together, we can work towards a more inclusive and ethical approach to transgender healthcare.