Table 2.
Helpful Aspects of Royal Children's Hospital Gender Service and Suggestions for Improvement
| Theme | Example quotes |
|---|---|
| Helpful, beneficial, or valuable aspects of the gender service: | |
| Appreciation of clinician's respectful communication, clinicians sharing information, and the therapeutic clinician–patient relationship | “I had so many questions about things. They were a wealth of information and provided a place where I could talk freely and openly without feeling judged. This was invaluable.” Parent |
| “I find having someone so friendly and respectful to talk to really puts my mind at ease. Unlike many other appointments I have elsewhere, I look forward to coming to the appointments I make at the RCH.” Adolescent | |
| Validating process and normalizing experience | “Someone to talk to you as though this is normal. [Clinicians] both normalised the situation, explaining it wasn't weird or strange, just another health condition that needed care.” Parent |
| Grateful to access medical treatment | “To gain access to professional assessment and guidance as well as reassurance that our attitudes and treatment of our child is valid and appropriate. This also gave us credibility when explaining our child to family and friends, community members and schools.” Parent |
| “It's the literal only way someone my age can get hormone therapy” Adolescent | |
| Suggestions for change/improvement: | |
| Additional resources | “Extra doctors so that it doesn't take so long to get an appointment.” Parent |
| “The waiting time. Yes, it may not seem like very long but when your body is mutating everyday is like torture.” Adolescent | |
| Require more detailed information during assessment and treatment | “Clearer intake process so we understand what to expect and how we can make the most of our attendance.…We have felt lost in a big system.” Parent |
| Additional support for families | “Separate mental health supports for parents.” Parent |
| Additional services that the gender service should provide; | |
| Family support | “Peer support for both the child and the parents and siblings” Parent |
| Regional services | “I think it would be good to have outreach clinics in the bigger country towns.” Parent |
| Assistance transitioning from pediatric to adult services | “Either see over 18s at the RCH or help with transition into adult services. I felt that the services and support dropped off when I turned 19.” Adolescent |
RCH, Royal Children's Hospital.