Ethics Grand Rounds, April 12, 2024 CDT

Separating Fact from Fiction:

Developmental and Ethical Considerations in Pediatric Gender Health

 

Headshot of Angela Kade Goepferd, MDAngela Kade Goepferd, MD

Children's MinnesotaAngela Kade Goepferd, MD

Ian Wolfe, PhD, MA, RN, HEC-CChildren's Minnesota

Disinformation about pediatric and adolescent gender affirming continues to grow making conversations about care decisions increasingly difficult. While our social and cultural understandings of gender as a spectrum becomes more accepted, medical and public spaces for transgender folks have become more restrictive. The wide difference in opinion and variable access to accurate information can make it difficult to find a framework on how to ethically think about decisions relating to gender affirming care for youth.

 
Good ethics start with good facts. Dr. Angela Kade Goepferd (they/them) will discuss the current social and cultural landscape of trans and gender diverse youth and explain gender identity and expression in the context of child development. Expanding on this foundation, Dr. Goepferd will explain how essential healthcare for transgender and gender diverse youth aligns with improved outcomes. Dr. Ian Wolfe (he/him) will then explore the ethical considerations that arise from the intersection of the cultural landscape and child development in the context of gender affirming care in pediatric patients.Learning objectives:  After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:
  • Discuss the changing cultural landscape of trans and gender diverse youth.
  • Discuss gender identity and gender expression in the context of child development.
  • Explain the outcomes associated with providing essential healthcare for transgender and gender diverse youth.
  • Explore the ethical considerations that arise from the intersection of the cultural landscape and child development in the context of gender affirming care in pediatric patients.