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Karkazis K, Krech M. What do oral contraceptive pills have to do with human rights abuses in sport? Sex Reprod Health Matters 2024; 32:2342105. [PMID: 38698726 PMCID: PMC11134067 DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2024.2342105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Karkazis
- Professor of Sexuality, Women’s and Gender Studies, Amherst College, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Michele Krech
- Harry A. Bigelow Fellow & Lecturer in Law, University of Chicago Law School, Chicago, IL, USA
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2
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Ussher JM, Carpenter M, Power R, Ryan S, Allison K, Hart B, Hawkey A, Perz J. "I've had constant fears that I'll get cancer": the construction and experience of medical intervention on intersex bodies to reduce cancer risk. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2024; 19:2356924. [PMID: 38796859 PMCID: PMC11134048 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2024.2356924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This paper examines the subjective experience of medical interventions on intersex bodies to reduce cancer risk. METHODS Twenty-five individuals with intersex variations took part in semi-structured interviews, analysed through thematic discourse analysis. RESULTS Intersex bodies were positioned as inherently sick and in need of modification, with cancer risk legitimating surgical and hormonal intervention. This resulted in embodied shame, with negative impacts on fertility and sexual wellbeing. However, many participants resisted discourses of bio-pathologisation and embraced intersex status. Some medical interventions, such as HRT, were perceived to have increased the risk of cancer. Absence of informed consent, and lack of information about intersex status and the consequences of medical intervention, was positioned as a human rights violation. This was compounded by ongoing medical mismanagement, including health care professional lack of understanding of intersex variations, and the objectification or stigmatization of intersex people within healthcare. The consequence was non-disclosure of intersex status in health contexts and lack of trust in health care professionals. CONCLUSIONS The legitimacy of poorly-evidenced cancer risk discourses to justify medical intervention on intersex bodies needs to be challenged. Healthcare practitioners need to be provided with education and training about cultural safety practices for working with intersex people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane M. Ussher
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - Morgan Carpenter
- Intersex Human Rights Australia, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Health Ethics, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rosalie Power
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - Samantha Ryan
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - Kimberley Allison
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - Bonnie Hart
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Alexandra Hawkey
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - Janette Perz
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
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Gramc M, Monro S, Stephenson J, Streuli J. Psychosocial Support for Parents, Infants, Children, and Adolescents with Variations of Sex Characteristics: Results from a Pan-European Survey. Behav Sci (Basel) 2024; 14:832. [PMID: 39336047 PMCID: PMC11429105 DOI: 10.3390/bs14090832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 09/12/2024] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Early psychosocial support for parents/legal guardians who have children with variations of sex characteristics (VSCs) is crucial in helping avoid potentially harmful medical procedures. Psychosocial support, including peer support, can help parents/legal guardians choose the best care path for their child, and it remains important throughout childhood. However, there is a lack of data on the provision of psychosocial support for families with a child who has VSCs. We sought knowledge about the timing and types of psychosocial support, and the level of implementation of psychosocial support amongst health and psychosocial care professionals and peer supporters. A survey was conducted using a purposive sample of healthcare professionals and members of peer support groups across Europe. A total of 301 responses were received and analysed using descriptive and inferential methods. The survey results showed that psychosocial support primarily addresses diagnostic procedures, medical treatment, and medical interventions. Whilst the majority of healthcare professionals aspired to have psychosocial support provided at the point where a diagnosis of VSCs was suspected, this was only reported as current practice by a minority of respondents. Overall, the survey indicates that there is a need for greater implementation of psychosocial support, and more collaboration between healthcare professionals and peer support groups in caring for children with VSCs and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Gramc
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland; (M.G.); (J.S.)
| | - Surya Monro
- Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State South Africa, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa
- Department of Criminology, Sociology, and Social Policy, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Loughborough Campus, Loughborough University UK, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
| | - John Stephenson
- Department of Allied Health Professions, Sport and Exercise, School of Human and Health Sciences, Huddersfield University, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK;
| | - Jürg Streuli
- Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland; (M.G.); (J.S.)
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Horowitz K, Zayhowski K, Palmour N, Haghighat D, Joly Y. Navigating the disclosure landscape: Parents' perspectives on healthcare professionals' role in supporting intersex children and families. J Genet Couns 2024. [PMID: 39252447 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
Intersex, an umbrella term, describes individuals with sex characteristics that cannot be exclusively categorized into binary definitions of male or female. The intersex community faces a lack of social visibility perpetuated by a history of medical discrimination and pathologization shaped by "normalizing" genital surgeries without the child's consent. Despite efforts to reform clinical practice, there remains a paucity of research centering the needs of the intersex community and their families. This study explored parents' perspectives on how healthcare professionals (HCPs), such as genetics professionals, can provide patient-centered education and support when parents first learn of their child's intersex variation, with the aim of offering recommendations to HCPs to promote parental adjustment and protect intersex children's right to autonomy. Thirteen qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 parents of intersex children. Through reflexive thematic analysis, under the framework of an agency-based approach to intersex health, thematic categories were inductively conceptualized, including barriers and facilitators to HCPs' sensitivity and to parental adjustment in the early disclosure environment. Barriers to HCPs' sensitivity were imposed by educational, religious, or medical institutions, along with sociocultural prejudices and pathologizing language. Barriers to parental adaptation included uncertainty regarding their child's future, sociocultural gender norms, and unsuitable information provision. Incorporating parental needs in the disclosure environment can facilitate familial acceptance, including normalization of variations of sex characteristics (VSCs), enhanced medical education, facilitation of patients' navigation, and prioritization of parents' social support needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla Horowitz
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kimberly Zayhowski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicole Palmour
- Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Darius Haghighat
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yann Joly
- Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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5
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Genital Modifications in Prepubescent Minors: When May Clinicians Ethically Proceed? THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2024:1-50. [PMID: 39018160 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2024.2353823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
When is it ethically permissible for clinicians to surgically intervene into the genitals of a legal minor? We distinguish between voluntary and nonvoluntary procedures and focus on nonvoluntary procedures, specifically in prepubescent minors ("children"). We do not address procedures in adolescence or adulthood. With respect to children categorized as female at birth who have no apparent differences of sex development (i.e., non-intersex or "endosex" females) there is a near-universal ethical consensus in the Global North. This consensus holds that clinicians may not perform any nonvoluntary genital cutting or surgery, from "cosmetic" labiaplasty to medicalized ritual "pricking" of the vulva, insofar as the procedure is not strictly necessary to protect the child's physical health. All other motivations, including possible psychosocial, cultural, subjective-aesthetic, or prophylactic benefits as judged by doctors or parents, are seen as categorically inappropriate grounds for a clinician to proceed with a nonvoluntary genital procedure in this population. We argue that the main ethical reasons capable of supporting this consensus turn not on empirically contestable benefit-risk calculations, but on a fundamental concern to respect the child's privacy, bodily integrity, developing sexual boundaries, and (future) genital autonomy. We show that these ethical reasons are sound. However, as we argue, they do not only apply to endosex female children, but rather to all children regardless of sex characteristics, including those with intersex traits and endosex males. We conclude, therefore, that as a matter of justice, inclusivity, and gender equality in medical-ethical policy (we do not take a position as to criminal law), clinicians should not be permitted to perform any nonvoluntary genital cutting or surgery in prepubescent minors, irrespective of the latter's sex traits or gender assignment, unless urgently necessary to protect their physical health. By contrast, we suggest that voluntary surgeries in older individuals might, under certain conditions, permissibly be performed for a wider range of reasons, including reasons of self-identity or psychosocial well-being, in keeping with the circumstances, values, and explicit needs and preferences of the persons so concerned. Note: Because our position is tied to clinicians' widely accepted role-specific duties as medical practitioners within regulated healthcare systems, we do not consider genital procedures performed outside of a healthcare context (e.g., for religious reasons) or by persons other than licensed healthcare providers working in their professional capacity.
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Menashe SJ, Zavaletta V, McCoy MN, Wright JN. Advocacy in gender affirming care. Pediatr Radiol 2024; 54:1391-1394. [PMID: 38436706 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-024-05885-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Healthcare advocacy is the duty and privilege of all healthcare providers, but especially for those who care for children. Intersex and gender diverse youth face significant barriers across many aspects of life, with access to competent gender affirming healthcare chief among them. Understanding the importance of both institutional and individual efforts in healthcare advocacy is paramount to improving healthcare access and outcomes for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Menashe
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, MA.7.220, 4800 Sandpoint Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
| | - Vaz Zavaletta
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Children's Hospital Chicago, University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Jason N Wright
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, MA.7.220, 4800 Sandpoint Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
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Griffiths DA. Georgina Somerset, British Intersex History, and the I in LGBTQI. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2024; 71:1177-1200. [PMID: 36688863 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2022.2164234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
There are currently debates inside and outside intersex communities about whether to include the I in LGBTQI+. Intersex has historically been critical in arguments about the boundaries between significant ontological and epistemological categories, particularly: female and male; homosexuality and heterosexuality; and sex, gender and sexuality. There is also a long history of conflation and confusion of categories of sex, gender and sexuality. It is clear that intersex is in some way inseparable from LGBT politics. This article will present the historical case study of Georgina Somerset, a British intersex woman, focusing on 1960-1970. Somerset's story illustrates both that intersex is different and separate from issues of gender and sexuality, and that intersex is always intimately connected to LGBT issues, whether historically or in contemporary politics. I identify four contemporary tensions that can be illuminated by this history of the entanglements and tensions of LGBT and I: the difficult boundary work between intersex and trans; the association of both intersex and trans with homosexuality; the issues of distraction and instrumentalization; and the affordances and limitations of identity politics. As the "I" was there all along, the politics of recognition might help us generate different discussions of LGBTQI+ politics and responsibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Andrew Griffiths
- Department of Sociology, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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8
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Bhugra D, Smith A, Liebrenz M, Ventriglio A, Gnanapragasam SN, Buadze A, Pemberton M, Poulter D. "Otherness", otherism, discrimination, and health inequalities: entrenched challenges for modern psychiatric disciplines. Int Rev Psychiatry 2023; 35:234-241. [PMID: 37267034 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2023.2192275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Identity is a complex concept that can be informed by various factors, involving biological, psychological, experiential, and social influences. Specifically, one's social identity refers to the ways in which individuals can adopt attributes from established collective categories, like cultural identities, ethnic identities, gender identities, and class identities, amongst others. Social identity can encompass unique and diverse interactions at an individual level, known as micro-identities, that may be selectively expressed, hidden, or downplayed, contingent on distinct sociocultural settings. However, the formation of social identity is recurrently defined in opposition to perceptions of the Other, which can entail adverse paradigms of marginalisation, stigma, and discrimination. Although this theory of Otherness has been developed across different fields, particularly sociology, it may be important in psychiatric contexts as it can engender inherent risk factors and mental health inequalities. Consequently, this paper seeks to bring attention towards these issues, exploring the construction of Otherness and its detrimental outcomes for psychiatry, such as systemic discrimination and disparities in therapeutic support, alongside recommended initiatives to mitigate against the effects of Otherness. This may require multifactorial approaches that include cultural competency training, interventions informed by micro-identities and intersectionality, patient advocacy, and structural changes to mental health policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Bhugra
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neurosciences, Kings College, London, UK
| | - Alexander Smith
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Liebrenz
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Ana Buadze
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, Specialized Outpatient Clinic for ADHD, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Max Pemberton
- Specialist Registrar, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, London
| | - Daniel Poulter
- South London and Maudsley Foundation NHS Trust, London, UK
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9
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Esteban C, Ortiz-Rodz DI, Muñiz-Pérez YI, Ramírez-Vega L, Jiménez-Ricaurte C, Mattei-Torres E, Finkel-Aguilar V. Quality of Life and Psychosocial Well-Being among Intersex-Identifying Individuals in Puerto Rico: An Exploratory Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2899. [PMID: 36833596 PMCID: PMC9957316 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Intersex is an umbrella term used to describe the diversity or differences in the characteristics of physical sexual development. Approximately 1.7% of the population are born intersex, and 1 in every 2000 babies at birth presents genital variation. Unfortunately, there is a lack of research on the health of intersex-identifying persons in Latin America. This study aimed to document experiences of discrimination and violence among self-identifying intersex individuals in Puerto Rico and to determine if there is a significant difference in the quality of life, psychological well-being, and social well-being between intersex-identifying and endosex individuals. METHODS This was a quantitative method pilot study with a cross-sectional approach and exploratory comparative group design. An online survey was used, where a total of 12 self-identifying intersex adult participants were recruited, and 126 endosex adult participants served as a comparative group. RESULTS The findings show that 83% of the participants reported experiences of discrimination and different types of violence due to their intersexuality. There was a significant difference between the intersex-identifying and endosex groups in psychological well-being, including in three of its dimensions (positives relations, autonomy, and environmental mastery). However, there were no significant differences between the groups in quality of life or social well-being. CONCLUSION The findings of this study provide a preliminary understanding of the health disparities of intersex-identifying individuals in Puerto Rico and suggest the need for more profound research, especially the inclusion of other Caribbean and Hispanic countries. The findings also preliminarily imply the need for local and global interventions to reduce physical and mental health disparities and to improve health, quality of life, and well-being among intersex-identifying individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb Esteban
- Ponce Campus, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA
| | - Derek Israel Ortiz-Rodz
- Ponce Campus, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA
| | - Yesibelle I. Muñiz-Pérez
- Ponce Campus, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA
| | - Luis Ramírez-Vega
- Ponce Campus, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA
| | - Coral Jiménez-Ricaurte
- Ponce Campus, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA
| | - Edna Mattei-Torres
- Ponce Campus, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, PR 00716, USA
| | - Victoria Finkel-Aguilar
- Río Piedras Campus, Department of Psychology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00931, USA
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Child genital cutting and surgery across cultures, sex, and gender. Part 1: female, male, intersex-and trans? The difficulty of drawing distinctions. Int J Impot Res 2023; 35:1-5. [PMID: 36460787 DOI: 10.1038/s41443-022-00639-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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Reber N, De Clercq E. Enduring uncertainties. Medical accounts on caring for young people with variations of sex characteristics. DIALOGUES IN HEALTH 2022; 1:100014. [PMID: 38515880 PMCID: PMC10953950 DOI: 10.1016/j.dialog.2022.100014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Objectives The diagnosis of intersex or variations of sex characteristics (VSC) often has a big impact on families who fear social stigmatization. Research has shown that intersex populations often experience important health disparities and that poor mental health and daily function are common among youth with VSC. The present study aimed to explore what healthcare professionals of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with VSC find important in terms of care to this group of patients. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Swiss healthcare providers involved in the care of youth born with an intersex variation. The qualitative data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Analysis resulted in six major themes: (1) With regard to patients' and families lived experiences, interviewees reported that fertility was as a major issue for parents but not for intersex youth as they were said to live in the moment. (2) Respondents considered various forms of psycho-social care (professional support, peer support and informal support from family and friends) to be of fundamental importance for their patients, but many of them seemed critical about support from advocacy groups and activists. All healthcare providers reported significant gaps in (3) the transition process and (4) the establishment of multidisciplinary care teams due to structural, provider- and patient-related barriers. (5) Participants were in favor of a more holistic and patient-centred care approach and (6) were critical about the medicalized use of DSD (disorder of sex development) with patients and families. Conclusion These findings suggest that although clinicians work hard to implement a holistic approach to care, their intentions are often undercut by a desire to hold a position of medical control. Healthcare professionals need to come to see medical uncertainty not only as a threat but also as an opportunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Reber
- University of Basel, Institute for Biomedical Ethics, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056 Basel, Switzerland (CH)
| | - Eva De Clercq
- University of Basel, Institute for Biomedical Ethics, Bernoullistrasse 28, 4056 Basel, Switzerland (CH)
- University of Zürich, Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, Winterthurerstrasse 30, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland (CH)
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12
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Diethold JME, Watzlawik M, Hornstein RR. Die Erfassung von Geschlecht. DIAGNOSTICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1026/0012-1924/a000305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung. Die Abfrage von Geschlecht hat sich als Standard für die Erfassung von soziodemografischen Daten etabliert. In den meisten Fällen wird dabei nur global nach der Zuordnung zum weiblichen oder männlichen Geschlecht gefragt. Tatsächlich ist Geschlecht aber ein multidimensionales Konstrukt, das auf unterschiedlichste Aspekte verweisen kann: juristische, biologische, psychologische, soziale etc. Auf keiner dieser Ebenen reichen die binären Optionen zur Beschreibung aus. In diesem Beitrag informieren wir daher – von Mehrdimensionalität ausgehend – über empirisch fundierte sowie forschungsethisch gebotene Formen der Erhebung von Geschlecht. Der Fokus liegt dabei auf den Wünschen und Bedarfen von in der Forschung marginalisierten Gruppen: 179 Personen, die sich als trans*, nicht-binär oder inter* (unterrepräsentiert: N = 2) verorten bzw. angaben, momentan ihr Geschlecht zu hinterfragen, sowie 121 dyadische cis Personen bewerteten 5 verschiedene Formate der Geschlechtserhebung. Trotz unterschiedlicher Bewertungen bei allen Formaten zeigte sich eine klare Präferenz für ein freies Eingabefeld zur Angabe des Geschlechts, das optional auszufüllen war. Vor- und Nachteile der einzelnen Erhebungsformen werden kritisch reflektiert und allgemeine Empfehlungen für die Forschungspraxis ausgesprochen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorah M. E. Diethold
- Institut für Psychologie, Lebenswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Meike Watzlawik
- Department Psychologie, Fakultät für Psychologie, Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität Berlin, Deutschland
| | - René_ Rain Hornstein
- Institut für Psychologie, Fakultät für Lebenswissenschaften, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Deutschland
- Department Psychologie, Fakultät für Psychologie, Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität Berlin, Deutschland
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Ussher JM, Allison K, Perz J, Power R. LGBTQI cancer patients' quality of life and distress: A comparison by gender, sexuality, age, cancer type and geographical remoteness. Front Oncol 2022; 12:873642. [PMID: 36203463 PMCID: PMC9530284 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.873642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is growing acknowledgement of the psycho-social vulnerability of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or intersex (LGBTQI) people with cancer. The majority of research to date has focused on cisgender adults with breast or prostate cancer. Study Aim This study examined psycho-social factors associated with distress and quality of life for LGBTQI cancer patients and survivors, across a range of sexualities and gender identities, intersex status, tumor types, ages and urban/rural/remote location using an intersectional theoretical framework. Method 430 LGBTQI people with cancer completed an online survey, measuring distress, quality of life (QOL), and a range of psycho-social variables. Participants included 216 (50.2%) cisgender women, 145 (33.7%) cisgender men, and 63 (14.7%) transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people. Thirty-one (7.2%) participants reported intersex variation and 90 (20%) were adolescents or young adults (AYA), aged 15-39. The majority lived in urban areas (54.4%) and identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual (73.7%), with 10.9% identifying as bisexual, and 10.5% as queer, including reproductive (32.4%) and non-reproductive (67.6%) cancers. Results Forty-one percent of participants reported high or very high distress levels, 3-6 times higher than previous non-LGBTQI cancer studies. Higher rates of distress and lower QOL were identified in TGD compared to cisgender people, AYAs compared to older people, those who identify as bisexual or queer, compared to those who identify as lesbian, gay or homosexual, and those who live in rural or regional areas, compared to urban areas. Elevated distress and lower QOL was associated with greater minority stress (discrimination in life and in cancer care, discomfort being LGBTQI, lower outness) and lower social support, in these subgroups. There were no differences between reproductive and non-reproductive cancers. For the whole sample, distress and poor QOL were associated with physical and sexual concerns, the impact of cancer on gender and LGBTQI identities, minority stress, and lack of social support. Conclusion LGBTQI people with cancer are at high risk of distress and impaired QOL. Research and oncology healthcare practice needs to recognize the diversity of LGBTQI communities, and the ways in which minority stress and lack of social support may affect wellbeing.
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Who Did Spanish Politicians Start Following on Twitter? Homophilic Tendencies among the Political Elite. SOCIAL SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/socsci11070292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Political communication has undergone transformations since the advent of digital networks, but do these new platforms promote interactivity and a public sphere with a more democratic political debate or do they function as echo chambers of the elites? In this research, we study the accounts that Spanish politicians started following on Twitter from 2017 to 2020, with the aim of understanding whether they reproduce patterns of homophilic tendencies or if they give space to new voices. To do so, we selected a sample from the deputies that were in the Spanish parliament during the four years of the study and through a big data and machine learning software, we identified the accounts they started following as a network and categorized them. We combined manual and computational data analysis methods and used data visualization techniques to look for patterns and trends. The results suggest that the Spanish political elites exhibit homophilic behaviors in terms of account types and geographic proximity and present a gender balance among the accounts. This study also suggests that the behavior of the political elite presented particularities during the electoral period, where we can observe an intensification of the homophilic patterns.
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Power R, Ussher JM, Perz J, Allison K, Hawkey AJ. "Surviving Discrimination by Pulling Together": LGBTQI Cancer Patient and Carer Experiences of Minority Stress and Social Support. Front Oncol 2022; 12:918016. [PMID: 35814403 PMCID: PMC9263127 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.918016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or intersex (LGBTQI) people with cancer and their carers report poorer psychological outcomes than the general non-LGBTQI cancer population. There is growing acknowledgement that these health inequities can be explained by minority stress, which can be buffered by social support. Study Aim To examine subjective experiences of minority stress and social support for LGBTQI people with cancer and their carers, drawing on qualitative findings from the Out with Cancer study. Method An online survey including open ended items was completed by 430 LGBTQI cancer patients and 132 partners and other carers, representing a range of tumor types, sexual and gender identities, age and intersex status. A sub-sample of 104 patients and 31 carers completed an interview, with a follow-up photovoice activity and second interview completed by 45 patients and 10 carers. Data was thematically analysed using an intersectional theoretical framework. Results Historical and present-day experiences of discrimination, violence, family rejection and exclusion created a legacy of distress and fear. This impacted on trust of healthcare professionals and contributed to distress and unmet needs in cancer survivorship and care. Social support, often provided by partners and other chosen family, including intimate partners and other LGBTQI people, buffered the negative impacts of minority stress, helping LGBTQI patients deal with cancer. However, some participants lacked support due to not having a partner, rejection from family of origin and lack of support within LGBTQI communities, increasing vulnerability to poor psychological wellbeing. Despite the chronic, cumulative impacts of minority stress, LGBTQI patients and carers were not passive recipients of discriminatory and exclusion in cancer care, demonstrating agency and resistance through collective action and advocacy. Conclusion LGBTQI people have unique socio-political histories and present-day psycho-social experiences that contribute to distress during cancer. Social support serves to buffer and ameliorate this distress. There is a need for cancer healthcare professionals and support services to be aware of and responsive to these potential vulnerabilities, including the intersectional differences in experiences of minority stress and social support. There is also a need for recognition and facilitation of social support among LGBTQI people with cancer and their carers.
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Earp BD. Genital Cutting as Gender Oppression: Time to Revisit the WHO Paradigm. FRONTIERS IN HUMAN DYNAMICS 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fhumd.2022.778592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) condemns all medically unnecessary female genital cutting (FGC) that is primarily associated with people of color and the Global South, claiming that such FGC violates the human right to bodily integrity regardless of harm-level, degree of medicalization, or consent. However, the WHO does not condemn medically unnecessary FGC that is primarily associated with Western culture, such as elective labiaplasty or genital piercing, even when performed by non-medical practitioners (e.g., body artists) or on adolescent girls. Nor does it campaign against any form of medically unnecessary intersex genital cutting (IGC) or male genital cutting (MGC), including forms that are non-consensual or comparably harmful to some types of FGC. These and other apparent inconsistencies risk undermining the perceived authority of the WHO to pronounce on human rights. This paper considers whether the WHO could justify its selective condemnation of non-Western-associated FGC by appealing to the distinctive role of such practices in upholding patriarchal gender systems and furthering sex-based discrimination against women and girls. The paper argues that such a justification would not succeed. To the contrary, dismantling patriarchal power structures and reducing sex-based discrimination in FGC-practicing societies requires principled opposition to medically unnecessary, non-consensual genital cutting of all vulnerable persons, including insufficiently autonomous children, irrespective of their sex traits or socially assigned gender. This conclusion is based, in part, on an assessment of the overlapping and often mutually reinforcing roles of different types of child genital cutting—FGC, MGC, and IGC—in reproducing oppressive gender systems. These systems, in turn, tend to subordinate women and girls as well as non-dominant males and sexual and gender minorities. The selective efforts of the WHO to eliminate only non-Western-associated FGC exposes the organization to credible accusations of racism and cultural imperialism and paradoxically undermines its own stated goals: namely, securing the long-term interests and equal rights of women and girls in FGC-practicing societies.
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Langdon E, Kavanagh P, Bushell M. Exploring pharmacists' understanding and experience of providing LGBTI healthcare. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IN CLINICAL AND SOCIAL PHARMACY 2022; 6:100134. [PMID: 35909715 PMCID: PMC9335930 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2022.100134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people experience health and wellness challenges additional to and separate from those of the wider population. Extant research has identified that LGBTI patients support education for healthcare providers to improve their access to appropriate care. Community pharmacists have a role in providing appropriate care to LGBTI patients. Aims This study explores the experiences of Australian community pharmacists in providing LGBTI healthcare. Methods Ten pharmacists were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide and the major themes were identified using Braun and Clark's thematic analysis. Results Analysis revealed a demand for professional education in several areas of LGBTI healthcare, especially gender-affirming hormone replacement therapy and safe communication with this group. Barriers to privacy and confidentiality were revealed, including time constraints, Covid-19 social distancing requirements, and the lack of appropriate consultation rooms. Further there is a need to engage LGBTI patients through greater inclusive advertising. Conclusions While there is some improvement, more must be done to promote inclusive pharmacy care for LGBTI people. This study demonstrates a demand from Australian pharmacists for increased professional education on LGBTI related healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Langdon
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Canberra, Australia
| | - Phillip Kavanagh
- Discipline of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Canberra, Australia
| | - Mary Bushell
- Discipline of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, Canberra, Australia
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Ussher JM, Power R, Perz J, Hawkey AJ, Allison K. LGBTQI Inclusive Cancer Care: A Discourse Analytic Study of Health Care Professional, Patient and Carer Perspectives. Front Oncol 2022; 12:832657. [PMID: 35619900 PMCID: PMC9127408 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.832657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Awareness of the specific needs of LGBTQI cancer patients has led to calls for inclusivity, cultural competence, cultural safety and cultural humility in cancer care. Examination of oncology healthcare professionals' (HCP) perspectives is central to identifying barriers and facilitators to inclusive LGBTQI cancer care. Study Aim This study examined oncology HCPs perspectives in relation to LGBTQI cancer care, and the implications of HCP perspectives and practices for LGBTQI patients and their caregivers. Method 357 oncology HCPs in nursing (40%), medical (24%), allied health (19%) and leadership (11%) positions took part in a survey; 48 HCPs completed an interview. 430 LGBTQI patients, representing a range of tumor types, sexual and gender identities, age and intersex status, and 132 carers completed a survey, and 104 LGBTQI patients and 31 carers undertook an interview. Data were analysed using thematic discourse analysis. Results Three HCP subject positions - ways of thinking and behaving in relation to the self and LGBTQI patients - were identified:'Inclusive and reflective' practitioners characterized LGBTQI patients as potentially vulnerable and offered inclusive care, drawing on an affirmative construction of LGBTQI health. This resulted in LGBTQI patients and their carers feeling safe and respected, willing to disclose sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) status, and satisfied with cancer care. 'Egalitarian practitioners' drew on discourses of ethical responsibility, positioning themselves as treating all patients the same, not seeing the relevance of SOGI information. This was associated with absence of LGBTQI-specific information, patient and carer anxiety about disclosure of SOGI, feelings of invisibility, and dissatisfaction with healthcare. 'Anti-inclusive' practitioners' expressed open hostility and prejudice towards LGBTQI patients, reflecting a cultural discourse of homophobia and transphobia. This was associated with patient and carer distress, feelings of negative judgement, and exclusion of same-gender partners. Conclusion Derogatory views and descriptions of LGBTQI patients, and cis-normative practices need to be challenged, to ensure that HCPs offer inclusive and affirmative care. Building HCP's communicative competence to work with LGBTQI patients needs to become an essential part of basic training and ongoing professional development. Visible indicators of LGBTQI inclusivity are essential, alongside targeted resources and information for LGBTQI people.
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Alderson J, Hamblin RP, Crowne EC. Psychological Care of Children and Families with Variations or Differences in Sex Development. Horm Res Paediatr 2022; 96:222-227. [PMID: 35390804 DOI: 10.1159/000524517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Paediatric clinical psychology literature provides applicable evidence for use in specialist health care settings and services. The general approach of psychological care of children and families with paediatric conditions is recognisable as preventative and de-stigmatising, aimed to maximise personal agency with shared responsibility for achieving best outcomes via multi-professional teamwork. Recent commentaries regarding healthcare for children with different sex development (DSD), have noted service-level pitfalls including poor teamwork and underuse of early and integrated psychological intervention. Psychological research regarding the variously termed DSD, Variations in Sex Development (VSD, Variation in Sex Characteristics (VSC), or intersex, has historically centred around the assessment of sex differences, gender identity and the impact of including hormone influences on brain and behaviour. Psychological research in this specialist area has not focussed on the evaluation of specific clinical interventions or psychotherapeutic models but has investigated psychological aspects of multi-professional healthcare provision. There are new goals for psychological care of children with variation or difference in sex development. These require a framework of good communication to enable those receiving care to come to know and articulate their own hopes for treatment and support. Paediatric psychological intervention studies involving larger clinical groups such as diabetes, provide evidence applicable to DSD populations. A risk of stigma is recognised as inherent to some physical interventions within routine paediatric care of people with variations or differences in sex development. Psychological care and intervention should be aimed at minimising these risks via questioning and examining their assumed need. Psychological approaches can provide a foundation for ethical and rights-based multi-professional care of children with variation or difference in sex development.
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20
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Gribble KD, Bewley S, Bartick MC, Mathisen R, Walker S, Gamble J, Bergman NJ, Gupta A, Hocking JJ, Dahlen HG. Effective Communication About Pregnancy, Birth, Lactation, Breastfeeding and Newborn Care: The Importance of Sexed Language. Front Glob Womens Health 2022; 3:818856. [PMID: 35224545 PMCID: PMC8864964 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2022.818856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Karleen D. Gribble
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Karleen D. Gribble
| | - Susan Bewley
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Melissa C. Bartick
- Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Roger Mathisen
- Alive & Thrive Southeast Asia, FHI Solutions, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Shawn Walker
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Gamble
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Health Care Research, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Nils J. Bergman
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arun Gupta
- Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Jennifer J. Hocking
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hannah G. Dahlen
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, NSW, Australia
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21
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Roen K, Oliver E. Decolonising and demedicalising intersex research. FEMINISM & PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/09593535211068403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In this commentary, we examine the role of non-Indigenous psychology researchers in settler states such as Aotearoa / New Zealand. A key focus is on demedicalising and decolonising intersex. We describe approaches to knowledge production that are based on the decolonising thinking of Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, and that open up opportunities for resistance and transformation. We then examine how decolonisation can be brought into dialogue with demedicalisation. Finally, we consider opportunities for an Indigenous understanding of health to contribute to the demedicalising aspirations of intersex advocates and researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eli Oliver
- University of Waikato, Aotearoa / New Zealand
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22
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Kronk CA, Everhart AR, Ashley F, Thompson HM, Schall TE, Goetz TG, Hiatt L, Derrick Z, Queen R, Ram A, Guthman EM, Danforth OM, Lett E, Potter E, Sun SD, Marshall Z, Karnoski R. Transgender data collection in the electronic health record: Current concepts and issues. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2022; 29:271-284. [PMID: 34486655 PMCID: PMC8757312 DOI: 10.1093/jamia/ocab136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There are over 1 million transgender people living in the United States, and 33% report negative experiences with a healthcare provider, many of which are connected to data representation in electronic health records (EHRs). We present recommendations and common pitfalls involving sex- and gender-related data collection in EHRs. Our recommendations leverage the needs of patients, medical providers, and researchers to optimize both individual patient experiences and the efficacy and reproducibility of EHR population-based studies. We also briefly discuss adequate additions to the EHR considering name and pronoun usage. We add the disclaimer that these questions are more complex than commonly assumed. We conclude that collaborations between local transgender and gender-diverse persons and medical providers as well as open inclusion of transgender and gender-diverse individuals on terminology and standards boards is crucial to shifting the paradigm in transgender and gender-diverse health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clair A Kronk
- Center for Medical Informatics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Avery R Everhart
- Population, Health, and Place Program, Spatial Sciences Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Center for Applied Transgender Studies, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Florence Ashley
- Center for Applied Transgender Studies, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Faculty of Law and Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hale M Thompson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Theodore E Schall
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Teddy G Goetz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Laurel Hiatt
- University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Zackary Derrick
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Roz Queen
- Health Information Science, School of Human and Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - A Ram
- Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - E Mae Guthman
- Center for Applied Transgender Studies, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Olivia M Danforth
- Department of Family Medicine, Samaritan Health Services Geary St. Clinic, Albany, Oregon, USA
| | - Elle Lett
- Center for Applied Transgender Studies, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Emery Potter
- Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simón(e) D Sun
- Center for Applied Transgender Studies, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Zack Marshall
- School of Social Work, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ryan Karnoski
- Center for Applied Transgender Studies, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
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23
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Kronk CA, Dexheimer JW. An ontology-based review of transgender literature: Revealing a history of medicalization and pathologization. Int J Med Inform 2021; 156:104601. [PMID: 34649111 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2021.104601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the linguistic changes of transgender-related resources prior to 1999 to create a comprehensive dataset of resources using an ontology-derived search system, laying a framework for ontology-based reviews to be used in informatics. METHODS We analyzed 77 bibliographies and 11 databases for transgender resources published prior to 31 December 1999. We used 858 variants of the term "transgender" to identify resources. Individual sources were tagged by subject matter and major conceptual terminology usage. We evaluated the accuracy of a Gender, Sex, and Sexual Orientation (GSSO) ontology-based mechanism on tagging relevant literature searches. RESULTS We identified 3,058 sources in 19 languages. Primary subjects covered included surgery, psychology, psychiatry, endocrinology, and sexology. The GSSO-based tagging mechanism correctly tagged 97.7% of MEDLINE resources as transgender-related. DISCUSSION The GSSO-based tagging mechanism was more effective than keyword-specific elucidations of terminologically complex literature and was just as effective at manual identification of subjects discussed within resources. Diverse language relating to transgender persons can be identified using the GSSO, which can also be used for structured literature review based on subject matter thus improving research in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clair A Kronk
- Yale School of Medicine, Center for Medical Informatics, New Haven, CT, United States.
| | - Judith W Dexheimer
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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24
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Miano P, Di Salvo G, Lavaggi M. An undermined therapeutic alliance: A case study. PSYCHODYNAMIC PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/14753634.2021.1972035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paola Miano
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Lavaggi
- Associazione Consultorio Transgenere, Torre Del Lago Puccini, Italy
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25
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Grant R, Smith AKJ, Newett L, Nash M, Turner R, Owen L. Tasmanian healthcare professionals' & students' capacity for LGBTI + inclusive care: A qualitative inquiry. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2021; 29:957-966. [PMID: 32789892 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The health disparities and care needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI+) patients are becoming well known. However, healthcare practitioners (HCPs) and medical students across the Global North report limited understanding of this population and express concern about their capacity to meet the needs of LGBTI + patients. To address these gaps in literature and practice, this study draws on qualitative interviews with 12 clinicians and five health professional students exploring their understandings and approaches to LGBTI + inclusive practice in Tasmania, Australia. Through a reflexive thematic analysis, we identified that both practicing clinicians and students did not believe that their training adequately prepared them to treat LGBTI + patients. Other key barriers included reduced awareness of LGBTI + community needs due to the lack of exposure to LGBTI + patients and unfamiliarity with appropriate referral pathways in the regional Tasmanian context. Conversely, factors enabling provision of LGBTI + inclusive care included prior experience working with LGBTI + patients and establishing a network of supportive colleagues and local services. Participants who identified as LGBTI + themselves saw their personal experiences as a strength in supporting LGBTI + patients. While awareness of LGBTI + inclusive health practice is increasing, Tasmanian practitioners report insufficient training and practical difficulties with referral as key challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruby Grant
- School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tas., Australia
| | - Anthony K J Smith
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Lyndsay Newett
- School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas., Australia
| | - Meredith Nash
- School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas., Australia
| | - Richard Turner
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas., Australia
| | - Louise Owen
- Sexual Health Service Tasmania, Hobart, Tas., Australia
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26
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Hart B, Shakespeare-Finch J. Intersex lived experience: trauma and posttraumatic growth in narratives. PSYCHOLOGY & SEXUALITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2021.1938189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie Hart
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jane Shakespeare-Finch
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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27
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Steers DM, Andrews GL, Wiltshire EJ, Ballantyne AJ, Collings SC, Stubbe MH. Young people with a variation in sex characteristics in Aotearoa/New Zealand: identity, activism and healthcare decision-making. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2021; 23:457-471. [PMID: 33356928 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2020.1863472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Young people born with variations in sex characteristics (VSC) or disorders of sex development (DSD) face numerous challenges in navigating issues relating to identity and to their lived and embodied experience. There is limited published research amplifying the voices of young people with a VSC, especially from Aotearoa/New Zealand. This qualitative study provides an up-to-date picture of the lived experience of 10 young people with a VSC in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The research was conducted in collaboration with the advocacy group, Intersex Youth Aotearoa, and explored the level of support provided by health services, peers and advocacy groups in relation to the ways the participants viewed themselves and their bodies, and their health related decision-making. Findings reveal the pressure on young people with a VSC to conform to cultural and societal norms, specifically, heteronormative and traditional constructs of how male and female bodies should look in Aotearoa/NZ society. Such views, often held and perpetuated by health professionals and parents, contributed to complexities surrounding identity, agency and acceptance of difference experienced by these young people. The implications of these findings are discussed, including the need for better psychological and peer support for young people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise M Steers
- Suicide and Mental Health Research Group, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | - Esko J Wiltshire
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Angela J Ballantyne
- Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice (Wellington), Bioethics Centre (Dunedin), University of Otago, New Zealand
| | - Sunny C Collings
- Suicide and Mental Health Research Group, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Maria H Stubbe
- Department of Primary Healthcare & General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
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28
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Prandelli M, Testoni I. Inside the doctor's office. Talking about intersex with Italian health professionals. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2021; 23:484-499. [PMID: 32935650 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2020.1805641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This article explores how health professionals in Italy understand variations of sex characteristics (VSC), also referred to as intersex and/or disorders of sex development (DSD). With estimates of VSC frequency ranging from 0.018% to 1.7%, only a handful of highly specialised medical doctors are considered DSD experts. When addressing the daily health management of children and families who do not live near specialist DSD centres, these experts may refer individuals to the nearest health professional that Italian health services provides, opening up questions regarding how these professionals might act and react when faced with VSC. In this analysis of interview data from 65 Italian general practitioners, paediatricians and psychologists, we address two themes. The first theme discusses participants' previous experiences and case management, with a focus on social, medical and gender biases. The second theme examines health professionals' opinions and perspectives on ongoing conflicts concerning current best care practices. Our results highlight health professionals' cultural and gendered biases, confirming the need to develop specific professional training, guidelines and policies to improve the healthcare of people with VSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Prandelli
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ines Testoni
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Danon LM, Schweizer K. Psychosocial approaches and discursive gaps in intersex healthcare: findings from an Israeli-German action research study. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2021; 23:441-456. [PMID: 32935631 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2020.1810779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In the past several decades, conflicting discourses have coexisted in the field of intersex studies, including the pathologising discourse of the biomedical disciplines and the affirmative, subjective psychosocial discourse of people born with intersex bodies and their advocates. Intersex activists call for a positive discourse on intersex bodies and a humanistic healthcare approach that accepts and protects intersex bodily autonomy to replace continuing harmful, traumatic treatments aimed at normalising variations of sex characteristics (VSC). Our awareness of the biomedical discursive dominance prompted us to initiate Inter-Care and Awareness, an intercultural German-Israeli action research project. This paper introduces the project and explores intercultural approaches to psychosocial intersex care using an action research framework. We describe how the project's goals, processes and outcomes created educational material on intersex which uses positive language, explores intersex in the Jewish tradition, improves the support offered to parents of intersex children, and examines cross-cultural differences that arose in the encounters between the Israeli and German participants. The analysis points to sociocultural themes that reflect intersex people's current status in Israel and Germany. Implications regarding the implementation of similar projects in other countries are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limor Meoded Danon
- The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in Zefat, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Katinka Schweizer
- Institute for Sex Research, Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry, The University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Earp BD, Shahvisi A, Reis-Dennis S, Reis E. The need for a unified ethical stance on child genital cutting. Nurs Ethics 2021; 28:1294-1305. [PMID: 33719736 DOI: 10.1177/0969733020983397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The American College of Nurse-Midwives, American Society for Pain Management Nursing, American Academy of Pediatrics, and other largely US-based medical organizations have argued that at least some forms of non-therapeutic child genital cutting, including routine penile circumcision, are ethically permissible even when performed on non-consenting minors. In support of this view, these organizations have at times appealed to potential health benefits that may follow from removing sexually sensitive, non-diseased tissue from the genitals of such minors. We argue that these appeals to "health benefits" as a way of justifying medically unnecessary child genital cutting practices may have unintended consequences. For example, it may create a "loophole" through which certain forms of female genital cutting-or female genital "mutilation" as it is defined by the World Health Organization-could potentially be legitimized. Moreover, by comparing current dominant Western attitudes toward female genital "mutilation" and so-called intersex genital "normalization" surgeries (i.e. surgeries on children with certain differences of sex development), we show that the concept of health invoked in each case is inconsistent and culturally biased. It is time for Western healthcare organizations-including the American College of Nurse-Midwives, American Society for Pain Management Nursing, American Academy of Pediatrics, and World Health Organization-to adopt a more consistent concept of health and a unified ethical stance when it comes to child genital cutting practices.
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31
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De Clercq E. On How Ploughing a Lonely Furrow Might Affect Youths’ Sexual Health. THE JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ETHICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1086/jce2021321069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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32
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Psychosoziale Versorgung bei Intersex/Varianten der Geschlechtsentwicklung. GYNAKOLOGISCHE ENDOKRINOLOGIE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10304-020-00361-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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33
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Earp BD. Male or female genital cutting: why 'health benefits' are morally irrelevant. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2021; 47:medethics-2020-106782. [PMID: 33462078 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2020-106782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The WHO, American Academy of Pediatrics and other Western medical bodies currently maintain that all medically unnecessary female genital cutting of minors is categorically a human rights violation, while either tolerating or actively endorsing medically unnecessary male genital cutting of minors, especially in the form of penile circumcision. Given that some forms of female genital cutting, such as ritual pricking or nicking of the clitoral hood, are less severe than penile circumcision, yet are often performed within the same families for similar (eg, religious) reasons, it may seem that there is an unjust double standard. Against this view, it is sometimes claimed that while female genital cutting has 'no health benefits', male genital cutting has at least some. Is that really the case? And if it is the case, can it justify the disparate treatment of children with different sex characteristics when it comes to protecting their genital integrity? I argue that, even if one accepts the health claims that are sometimes raised in this context, they cannot justify such disparate treatment. Rather, children of all sexes and genders have an equal right to (future) bodily autonomy. This includes the right to decide whether their own 'private' anatomy should be exposed to surgical risk, much less permanently altered, for reasons they themselves endorse when they are sufficiently mature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian D Earp
- Yale-Hastings Program in Ethics and Health Policy, Yale University and The Hastings Center, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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Experiences of LGBTIQA+ People with Disability in Healthcare and Community Services: Towards Embracing Multiple Identities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17218080. [PMID: 33147846 PMCID: PMC7662209 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17218080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Healthcare and disability support services are increasing their efforts towards inclusion and recognising the needs of different groups. This research project was conducted by academic and peer researchers (LGBTIQA+ people with disability) in Victoria, Australia using four focus groups with LGBTIQA+ people with disability. We report on two overarching themes relating to participants’ experiences of accessing health services as LGBTIQA+ people with disability: difficulties in managing multiple identities and the impacts of community services and supports. Participants described having to repeatedly ‘come out’ in a range of ways and contexts as complex and layered processes in which it was difficult to present their full range of needs and experiences to services. We also found that the role of community in promoting a sense of belonging and resilience increased capacity to manage health service use and advocacy. Services and communities aiming to be inclusive to all have the opportunity to recognise and respond to the issues faced by LGBTIQA+ people with disability as a way to pay attention to how overt and subtle practices of discrimination continue to operate despite repeated attempts at or claims of being ‘inclusive.’ Our research suggests actual inclusive, accessible services can be achieved in part through policy and practice that actively responds to the specific needs of LGBTIQA+ people with disability, in addition to LGBTIQA+ education for disability services and disability and accessibility education for LGBTIQA+ focused services. As we do in this article, we argue that this work must be done by prioritising authentic participation of LGBTIQA+ people with disability in the services and research that is about them.
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35
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Kirk EP, Ong R, Boggs K, Hardy T, Righetti S, Kamien B, Roscioli T, Amor DJ, Bakshi M, Chung CWT, Colley A, Jamieson RV, Liebelt J, Ma A, Pachter N, Rajagopalan S, Ravine A, Wilson M, Caruana J, Casella R, Davis M, Edwards S, Archibald A, McGaughran J, Newson AJ, Laing NG, Delatycki MB. Gene selection for the Australian Reproductive Genetic Carrier Screening Project ("Mackenzie's Mission"). Eur J Hum Genet 2020; 29:79-87. [PMID: 32678339 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-020-0685-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive genetic carrier screening aims to offer couples information about their chance of having children with certain autosomal recessive and X-linked genetic conditions. We developed a gene list for use in "Mackenzie's Mission", a research project in which 10,000 couples will undergo screening. Criteria for selecting genes were: the condition should be life-limiting or disabling, with childhood onset, such that couples would be likely to take steps to avoid having an affected child; and/or be one for which early diagnosis and intervention would substantially change outcome. Strong evidence for gene-phenotype relationship was required. Candidate genes were identified from OMIM and via review of 23 commercial and published gene lists. Genes were reviewed by 16 clinical geneticists using a standard operating procedure, in a process overseen by a multidisciplinary committee which included clinical geneticists, genetic counselors, an ethicist, a parent of a child with a genetic condition and scientists from diagnostic and research backgrounds. 1300 genes met criteria. Genes associated with non-syndromic deafness and non-syndromic differences of sex development were not included. Our experience has highlighted that gene selection for a carrier screening panel needs to be a dynamic process with ongoing review and refinement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin P Kirk
- Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, Randwick, NSW, Australia. .,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia. .,NSW Health Pathology East Genomics Laboratory, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
| | - Royston Ong
- Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Kirsten Boggs
- Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Australian Genomics Health Alliance, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Clinical Genetics, Children's Hospital Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Tristan Hardy
- SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Repromed, Dulwich, SA, Australia.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sarah Righetti
- Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Ben Kamien
- Genetic Services of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Tony Roscioli
- Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,NSW Health Pathology East Genomics Laboratory, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - David J Amor
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Madhura Bakshi
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Clara W T Chung
- School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Department of Clinical Genetics, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Alison Colley
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Robyn V Jamieson
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Children's Hospital Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Eye Genetics Research Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Children's Hospital Westmead, Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Disciplines of Genomic Medicine, and Child and Adolescent Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jan Liebelt
- South Australian Clinical Genetics Service, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Alan Ma
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Children's Hospital Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Discipline of Genomic Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas Pachter
- Genetic Services of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.,School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Sulekha Rajagopalan
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
| | - Anja Ravine
- PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Meredith Wilson
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Children's Hospital Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia.,Discipline of Genomic Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jade Caruana
- Australian Genomics Health Alliance, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Mark Davis
- PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Samantha Edwards
- Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Alison Archibald
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Julie McGaughran
- Genetic Health Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ainsley J Newson
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine & Health, Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney Health Ethics, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nigel G Laing
- Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Martin B Delatycki
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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36
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Crocetti D, Arfini EAG, Monro S, Yeadon-Lee T. 'You're basically calling doctors torturers': stakeholder framing issues around naming intersex rights claims as human rights abuses. SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH & ILLNESS 2020; 42:943-958. [PMID: 32133671 DOI: 10.1111/1467-9566.13072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this article we address activist, patient advocate and medic perspectives on framing intersex, variations of sex characteristics and disorders/differences in sex development medical treatment as human rights abuses. Problematic aspects of intersex medical treatment have increasingly been highlighted in national debates and international human rights bodies. Some intersex activists have framed aspects of intersex medical treatment as human rights abuses since the 1990s. Other stakeholders in shaping medical treatment, such as patient advocates and medical professionals, are not always content with human rights framing, or even the term intersex. In order to address the different perspectives in this arena we provide background on the primary rights claims that have arisen followed by key human rights framing of these claims. We provide a short discussion of activism styles, looking at pan-intersex social movements and variation-specific patient associations as different styles of health social movements. The analysis of stakeholder perspectives on the use of human rights strategy in health areas provides a useful case study for medical sociology and policy in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Crocetti
- School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
| | | | - Surya Monro
- School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
| | - Tray Yeadon-Lee
- School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
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Ashby MA, Morrell B. To the Barricades or the Blackboard: Bioethical Activism and the "Stance of Neutrality". JOURNAL OF BIOETHICAL INQUIRY 2018; 15:479-482. [PMID: 30560401 DOI: 10.1007/s11673-018-9887-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Ashby
- Cancer, Chronic Disease and Sub-Acute Stream, Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmanian Health Service, and Medical Ethics and Death Studies, School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Repatriation Centre, 90 Davey Street, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia.
| | - Bronwen Morrell
- Sydney Health Ethics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Level 1, Medical Foundation Building, K25, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
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38
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Karkazis K, Carpenter M. Impossible "Choices": The Inherent Harms of Regulating Women's Testosterone in Sport. JOURNAL OF BIOETHICAL INQUIRY 2018; 15:579-587. [PMID: 30117064 DOI: 10.1007/s11673-018-9876-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In April 2018, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) released new regulations placing a ceiling on women athletes' natural testosterone levels to "ensure fair and meaningful competition." The regulations revise previous ones with the same intent. They require women with higher natural levels of testosterone and androgen sensitivity who compete in a set of "restricted" events to lower their testosterone levels to below a designated threshold. If they do not lower their testosterone, women may compete in the male category, in an intersex category, at the national level, or in unrestricted events. Women may also challenge the regulation, whether or not they have lowered their testosterone, or quit sport. Irrespective of IAAF's stated aims, the options forced by the new regulations are impossible choices. They violate dignity, threaten privacy, and mete out both suspicion and judgement on the sex and gender identity of the athletes regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Karkazis
- Global Health Justice Partnership, Yale University, 127 Wall Street, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
| | - Morgan Carpenter
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Health Ethics Level 1, Medical Foundation Building, K25, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- Intersex Human Rights Australia and GATE, Newtown, Australia
- GATE, New York, NY, USA
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