Previous Experiences and Future Needs in the Health Care of Children and Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria - Results of Multi-Perspective Surveys

Children and adolescents with gender dysphoria (GD) and their families often have contact with the healthcare system. Few to no studies are available that describe the care experiences and needs from the perspective of the affected patient group and from the perspective of relevant groups of healthcare professionals (pediatricians, child and adolescent psychiatrists and GD experts). The article provides a multiperspective overview regarding the health care situation of children and adolescents with GD in German-speaking countries. Quantitative and qualitative data from two third-party funded projects TRANS*KIDS and TRANSKIDSCARE are presented. The need for health care for children and adolescents with GI is increasing. The participants in both studies reported positive (previous) experiences in the healthcare system, but many of them also mentioned negative (previous) experiences in the healthcare system, ranging from misgendering to refusal of treatment, often due to a lack of knowledge about GD on the part of professionals treating them. As a result, participants see a need for further training for healthcare professionals working with children and adolescents with GD. The multiperspective experiences and needs identified in both projects show deficits and discrepancies in the healthcare of children and adolescents with GD. Comprehensive and transparent care structures and treatment guidelines for professionals are needed to improve health care for this group of patients.