Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy for the Trans, Gender Diverse, and Nonbinary Community: Coordinating World Professional Association for Transgender Health and Informed Consent Models of Care

Abstract

Purpose: Before commencing gender-affirming hormone therapy, people undergo assessments through the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) model (typically with a mental health clinician), or an informed consent (IC) model (without a formal mental health assessment). Despite growing demand, these remain poorly coordinated in Australia. We aimed to compare clients attending WPATH and IC services; compare binary and nonbinary clients; and characterize clients with psychiatric diagnoses or longer assessments. Methods: Cross-sectional audit of clients approved for gender-affirming treatment (March 2017-2019) at a specialist clinic (WPATH model, n=212) or a primary care cli..