Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this program development and evaluation project was to incorporate the Chicago Consensus recommendations in the formation of a DSD/gender dysphoria clinic model within a Northwest Children’s Specialty Center (CSC) to better serve this population in and around the region.|Background: DSDs can impact a child’s external and internal genital phenotype and physical health (Lee et al., 2006). Both DSDs and gender dysphoria can impact a child’s psychological health, fertility, sexual function, quality of life, and social participation. Both populations require care from multiple subspecialists, which can include endocrinology, urology, genetics, and/or mental health (Lee et al, 2006). The need to see multiple subspecialists increases healthcare costs to the patients as well as time spent in various appointments (Yaneza et al., 2015). It also places these patients at risk for fragmented care with resultant poor patient outcomes (Walunas et al., 2017). Sample/Setting: 149 pediatric patients previously seen by one of the recommended specialty clinics within the CSC.|Methods: Utilized Kotter’s 8 Step Model of Change to guide the creation and evaluation of a multidisciplinary clinic for children with DSD/gender dysphoria. Results: Patient response was positive as indicated by adherence to their scheduled appointments and reception to an innovative multidisciplinary clinic model. The overarching theme among providers was an appreciation for the structure of the clinic and the effectiveness of the multidisciplinary approach.|Conclusion: Kotter’s 8 Step Model of Change was an appropriate method for creating a multidisciplinary clinic to meet the unique needs of the DSD/gender dysphoria population. Keywords: Differences in sexual development (DSD), Gender dysphoria, Genital ambiguity, Children with Medical Complexity (CMC), Fragmented Care, Multidisciplinary clinic, Health related quality of life (HRQoL).