EMPOWER-TRANS*
The innovation fund project EMPOWER-TRANS* - development and implementation of innovative, digital information/training concepts for children/adolescents/their families with gender dysphoria - will start in June 2024 and is based in the Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology at Ulm University Hospital.
In recent years, there has been a steady increase in the number of children and adolescents whose sex assigned at birth and self-perceived gender identity do not match. This mismatch can lead to severe psychological distress. The desire to resolve this distress often leads to the utilisation of gender reassignment medical treatments, such as hormonal and surgical interventions. Treating and informing this group of people is complex and requires the involvement of various specialist disciplines. There are also particularly high quality standards for the care of minors. There are only a few specialist centres and specialist practices available for this throughout Germany. The resulting long waiting times can further increase the level of suffering.
The aim of the project is to develop and test a digital information and training programme from various disciplines. The children and young people affected and their carers should receive comprehensive information and help with self-management in everyday life. As the support is offered digitally, the specialised human and financial resources can be used optimally. This means that frequently requested information can be provided even before an initial consultation with a doctor. As a result, initial consultations can be shorter and more personalised. This in turn increases the capacity for making appointments and shortens waiting times. If successful, the service gives those affected quick access to high-quality and comprehensive information, reduces high levels of suffering and helps to avoid underuse and, above all, inappropriate care.
The project is being subsidised by the Innovation Fund with 4.9 million euros.
Development of the web-based platform will start in June 2024 and is expected to take 1.5 years. It is planned that affected families will be able to use it from 1 January 2026.
Consortium partners:
Agaplesion Frankfurter Diakonie Kliniken gGmbH, BARMER, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Evangelische Kliniken Essen-Mitte gGmbH, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Techniker Krankenkasse, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
Cooperation partners:
Pädiatrische Endokrinologie, Endokrinologikum Hamburg; Praxisgemeinschaft Kinder- & Jugendpsychiatrie und -psychotherapie, Ev. Krankenhaus Köln; Trans-Kinder-Netz e.V. (families and relatives with underage trans children); Bundesverband Trans* e.V.; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Transidentität und Intersexualität dgti e.V.
