An Iterative Model of Informed Consent: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Consent in Gender-Affirming Surgery

Area of Science:

• Transgender Health
• Informed Consent
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• Current informed consent practices in transgender healthcare often fail to address specific intervention details.
• This oversight can undermine patient autonomy, bodily agency, and exacerbate power imbalances in the clinician-patient relationship.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide guidance for clinicians in gender-affirming surgery on implementing a trauma-informed approach to informed consent.
• To address the limitations of current informed consent models by incorporating specific procedural details.

Main Methods:

• Proposes an iterative model for informed consent tailored to gender-affirming surgery.
• Draws upon principles of trauma-informed care to structure the consent process.

Main Results:

• A trauma-informed approach allows for detailed discussion of specific intervention aspects (personnel, touch, location).
• This method aims to mitigate threats to patient autonomy and agency.

Conclusions:

• Implementing a trauma-informed, iterative model of informed consent is crucial for ethical gender-affirming surgical care.
• This approach empowers patients by ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their procedures.