Lancaster University researchers are leading a national consultation to identify research priorities for healthcare interventions for adults experiencing gender incongruence and gender dysphoria.

Delivered in partnership with trans, non-binary and gender-diverse communities and their healthcare professionals, this work follows the publication of the ‘operational and delivery review of NHS adult gender dysphoria clinics in England’ by Dr David Levy, which identified the need for a strategy for robust and high-quality research to inform the delivery of gender services.

The Gender Incongruence in Adults (Non-Surgical) Priority Setting Partnership (PSP), also known as the Trans, Non-Binary and Gender-Diverse Adults PSP, is funded by the charity Gendered Intelligence. This trans-led and trans-involving registered charity works to increase understanding of gender diversity and improve the lives of trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people.

The charity is funding Dr Lisa Ashmore from Lancaster University and Lancaster University PhD student and former Lancaster University Students’ Union LGBTQ+ Officer Lilly-Emma Thynne to deliver the PSP as an external consultancy project.

The PSP is part of a suite of health-related consultations led by the James Lind Alliance (JLA) https://www.jla.nihr.ac.uk/about-priority-setting-partnerships whose PSPs bring together healthcare professionals, patients, and support networks to identify and prioritise knowledge gaps that require further research to improve healthcare access and provision in a specific area or demographic. The JLA framework is internationally recognised by the World Health Organisation.

The Gender Incongruence in Adults (Non-Surgical) PSP aims to: 

• establish a collaborative space for healthcare professionals and trans, non-binary and gender-diverse adults to inform the project's development through a Steering Group including 11 adults with lived experience and up to 11 healthcare professionals across specialisms 
• consult trans, non-binary and gender-diverse adults, healthcare professionals, and support networks through an online survey, focus groups and workshops to identify uncertainties and knowledge gaps in relation to transition-related care
• check existing literature to remove any research questions/contributions which have already been studied
• prioritise these knowledge uncertainties during a workshop with representation from trans, non-binary and gender-diverse adults and healthcare professionals.

The JLA PSP process concludes with the publication of a Top 25 list of important areas for research to inform researchers and research funders. The Top 10 research areas will be eligible for an NIHR rolling funding opportunity.

Dr Lisa Ashmore said: “It is vital that we listen carefully to how services are experienced and delivered in practice when setting research priorities. By bringing together healthcare professionals and people using gender services, this partnership will ensure future research supports care that is informed, responsive and grounded in people’s lived experience.”

Lilly-Emma Thynne said: “This unique project reflects what is possible when collaboration is built in from the start. Through genuine partnership, trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse communities and healthcare professionals across gender services are helping to shape the future of inclusive and impactful adult gender healthcare research.”

Dr Jay Stewart, CEO of Gendered Intelligence, said: “We are pleased to see a model of research that values lived experience and professional knowledge as complementary rather than separate. This kind of collaboration recognises the expertise that exists within trans communities and strengthens the evidence base for better healthcare.”

The areas of transition-related healthcare in the scope of this PSP include:

• Adults, aged 18 and older, who are transgender, non-binary, and/or gender-diverse
• Identification, inclusive of self-identification, of gender incongruence and/or dysphoria
• Medication associated with transition-related healthcare, inclusive of self-medication (DIY)
• Non-pharmacological interventions associated with transition-related healthcare
• Experiences of individuals who stopped, paused or reversed aspects of their transition-related care
• Improving health services and health outcomes, inclusive of clinical education and training
• Outcomes specific to gender
• Communication and resources regarding transition-related care
• Models of transition-related care
• All forms of fertility preservation