Exploring Gender Identity in Medical Trainees and Practicing Physicians: A Preliminary Observation from Lebanon

Background: Gender identity awareness is increasing in medicine, yet data collection in Lebanon remains largely binary. This study examines gender identity trends among medical trainees and physicians. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among final-year medical students, residents, fellows, and attending physicians at all six private Lebanese medical schools and affiliated hospitals. The gender question included "male," "female," and "prefer not to answer" to ensure IRB approval. Results: Among 278 respondents (17.46% response rate), 13 (4.7%) chose "prefer not to answer"—6.1% of students, 8.1% of residents/fellows, and only 1.2% of attending physicians. Nearly all were trainees. Conclusion: A trend toward expressing non-binary gender identity appears more common among younger medical professionals and doctors in training in Lebanon. Further research is needed to explore this shift and its implications for medical education and practice.