Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39736610›Full record

ArticleBMC medical ethics2024

Promoting trans patient autonomy in surgical preparation for phalloplasty and metoidioplasty: results from a community-based cross-sectional survey and implications for preoperative assessments.

Leo L Rutherford, Elijah R Castle, Noah Adams, Logan Berrian, Linden Jennings, Ayden Scheim, Aaron Devor, Nathan J Lachowsky

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical ethics, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Leo L RutherfordSchool of Public Health and Social Policy, Faculty of Human and Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada. leorutherford@uvic.ca.
Elijah R CastleHunter Alliance for Research and Translation (HART), Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
Noah AdamsOntario Institute of Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Logan BerrianThe Buncke Clinic, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Linden JenningsSchool of Public Health and Social Policy, Faculty of Human and Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Ayden ScheimDornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Aaron DevorChair in Transgender Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
Nathan J LachowskySchool of Public Health and Social Policy, Faculty of Human and Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.

Funding

Canadian Institutes of Health Research Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research Transition to Leadership Award 434293
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSome transgender and nonbinary people undergo phalloplasty and/or metoidioplasty as part of their medical transition process. Across surgical disciplines, a variety of resources are used to assist patients who are preparing for surgeries, including educational materials, workshops, peer support, and lifestyle changes. For gender-affirming surgeries, patients undergoing assessments to discern whether they are ready to undergo the surgery, and to assist them in achieving preparedness when needed. Little research investigates what resources are useful in helping patients to feel prepared to undergo phalloplasty or metoidioplasty, and how assessments and resources can promote patient autonomy in the process. Respect for patient autonomy is one of the central tenets of ethical healthcare, yet historically, scholarship related to pre-surgical assessments for gender-affirming surgery has focused determining the ideal surgical candidate rather than respecting patient autonomy and ascertaining individual patient needs.

methodsThis study sought to fill this gap by utilizing data from PROGRESS (Patient-Reported Outcomes of Genital Reconstruction and Experiences of Surgical Satisfaction), a cross-sectional, community-based survey of trans and nonbinary adults from the United States of America and Canada who had undergone one or more of these surgeries.

resultsResults revealed most participants (86%, n = 186) felt prepared to undergo surgery, though the majority of our sample (53%, n = 105) did not find referral letter assessments to be helpful. Peer support such as online resources/blogs were rated as highly useful, along with surgical consults. In a multivariable logistic regression, higher perceived preparedness was associated with identifying as queer (inclusive of gay, bi and pansexual compared to being straight), and feeling that one's assessment process was useful (as opposed to not useful). Type of assessment was not significantly associated with preparedness; therefore, what is most useful when preparing for surgery may vary across individuals.

conclusionHealthcare professionals who interact with preparing patients should develop new or utilize existing resources to assist patients in identifying their preparation needs and achieving preparedness. Our data supports assessments that center surgical care planning rather than assessing level of gender dysphoria. Future longitudinal research could further refine which assessment processes are most effective in helping patients who are preparing for these surgeries. Assessments should ensure that patients are appropriately prepared to undergo and recover from surgery through a robust process of informed consent.

Indexed as

Personal AutonomyTransgender PersonsAdultCanadaCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleGender-Affirming SurgeryHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient SatisfactionPenisPhalloplastyPlastic Surgery ProceduresPreoperative CareSurveys and QuestionnairesCBPRGender-affirming surgeryInformed consentPatient autonomyPreparednessReadinessTransgender

Identifiers

PMID39736610
PMCPMC11686888

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.