Rethinking care: How to better support intersex persons

Project description

Intersex refers to individuals whose bodies at the physical, chromosomal, or gonadal level do not match the binary male/female model. Studies involving intersex people primarily focus on medical outcomes, like the success or complications of surgeries. They often overlook such crucial areas as the challenges of navigating healthcare systems that do not fully understand or respect their needs, and the psychosocial dynamics of living with a body that does not conform to societal norms.

Research aim

The project aims to improve the quality of care of intersex persons by focusing on key areas such as psychological well-being, social experiences, healthcare navigation and identity formation. For this purpose, it will explore the healthcare experiences, needs and wishes of intersex people and their loved ones in Switzerland, review best care practices, create a virtual decision-aid library and train healthcare providers to become shared decision-making coaches.

Purpose

The project will reduce the challenges that intersex people face when accessing healthcare, support their participation in healthcare decision-making, improve healthcare education, fight societal stigma and provide evidence-based recommendations for policy change. Its findings will contribute to the creation of a more gender-inclusive healthcare system and, since the field of intersex studies is underdeveloped, it will place Switzerland in a leading position in the field of intersex healthcare.