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Franziska K. Loos, Andreas Köhler, Jana Eyssel, and Timo O. Nieder. Subjective Indicators of Treatment Success and Experiences of Discrimination in Interdisciplinary Trans* Healthcare. Qualitative Results from an Online Survey. („Subjektive Indikatoren des Behandlungserfolges und Diskriminierungserfahrungen in der trans* Gesundheitsversorgung. Qualitative Ergebnisse einer Online-Befragung“). Zeitschrift für Sexualforschung 2016; 3: 205–223

In transgender healthcare, both research and clinical practice have been undergoing significant changes over the past years which have been heavily influenced by information and suggestions provided by the transgender community. A participatory online survey study has been conducted with transgender individuals in order to further improve the quality of research and treatment in transgender healthcare. The questionnaire was developed in collaboration with a working group consisting of trans support group representatives and transgender healthcare specialists. It investigated the needs and concerns of trans individuals regarding transition-related healthcare in order to provide an empirical basis for the development of quality standards in transgender healthcare. The non-clinical sample consisted of N = 415 self-identified trans individuals (minimum age was 16). In addition to closed questions, a number of open questions featured in the survey. The present paper focuses on the qualitative data obtained, which were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The analysis explores two aspects regarded as crucial for quality development in the sector: it addresses (a) subjective indicators that trans individuals use to determine whether or not their medical transition is complete, and (b) how discrimination experienced by trans individuals in healthcare influences their expectations in relation to general and transition-related healthcare. The results indicate that a paradigm shift towards more self-determined healthcare for trans individuals strongly relies on a trust-based relationship between patients and stakeholders in transgender healthcare. To this goal, transgender healthcare specialists should therefore seek to bring both expertise and sensitivity to their work in order to cater to the individual needs of trans patients.

Key words: healthcare; online survey; participatory research; transgender; transsexualism