Zegura Iva, Jambrosic Sakoman Priv-Doz. Andrea, Dalić Karlo

(243) PERCEPTION OF HEALTHCARE FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE IN CROATIA

  • Urology
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
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Abstract Objectives No systemic care under specific gender clinics for transgender people exists in Croatia. There is a National list of experts in the health care of transgender people which did not expand since its establishment in 2015 with new competent professionals. The main focus of the study was to find out how experts and NGOs perceive the existing level of healthcare for transgender people. Methods The online study is conducted in 2021 on a sample of experts from the National list of experts in healthcare for transgender people and two main NGOs that are dealing with transgender rights. The results are analyzed mainly using the qualitative methodology and to a lesser extent quantitative methodology. The thematic analysis was performed by two independent researchers. Results The analysis has shown three main themes: 1) Positive aspects of healthcare for transgender people; 2) Negative aspects of healthcare for transgender people; 3) Improvements in the healthcare of transgender people. Perceived positive aspects are: the existence of care options for trans people within the health care system; achieved progress in the implementation of Standards of care; availability of information regarding health care. Perceived negative aspects are a lack of competent professionals; geographically centralized health care; experts working in different hospitals; no systematic education for new professionals. Proposed improvements relate to establishing a professional association of experts for transgender health, education of new experts, decentralization of health care, and standardization of procedures of assessment and treatment within each profession. Conclusions Obligatory systematic education regarding the health care of trans people is necessary on graduate and postgraduate levels as well as establishing standardized procedures in diagnostic assessment of trans people for each profession included in interdisciplinary teams. A new round of discussion between professionals, transgender NGOs, and stakeholders should be made in order to remove existing barriers to complete and affirmative health care for transgender people in Croatia. Conflicts of Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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