BMJ's editor on evidence void and overtreatment of gender dysphoria

[mirax]

This isnt a very substantive article but it suggests what was once unthinkable - that the much touted gender affirming care was not properly evidenced - and counsels caution.
"“Much of this clinical practice is supported by guidance from medical societies and associations, but closer inspection…finds that the strength of clinical recommendations is not in line with the strength of the evidence.”

They are backing away slowly in anticipation of the Cass Review.
www.bmj.com/content/380/bmj.p553

the problem at the Tavi was that anyone who expressed disquiet was quietly removed (or not so quietly), it grew very quickly from a relatively small unit to a massive unit mostly staffed by relatively inexperienced staff who were easily captured by "group think" and where the supervision was not robust and perpetuated the appalling culture.
It was/is an open secret in MHealth that the young person side of the Tavi was extreme and several referring units would try not to send young people there, however it's hard to keep people away when your own departments have little/no funding/personel to support the patients.
David Bell is a hero and blew the whistle but at great personal cost, he at least managed to keep a platform and his wits about him.

Blocked and Reported sometimes make their subscriber only episodes free to access a bit later on.

This is a great interview with Hannah Barnes if you can't get B&R Mavis:
open.spotify.com/episode/57ZKBY7w4H3JjHrzjbe0vG?si=4i1XoTHYR8-d1KcSttEfFA&app_destination=copy-link

(It's the Gender a Wider Lens one)

It's not a premium episode, so should be on streaming services in a day or two. I'll keep and eye on it and let you know. .

I would agree ....but.......

For instance, in my case, my professional association jumped on the bandwagon around 5-6years ago. They devised a LGBT strategy that was primarily about trans issues.
And, at that, it was primarily around transwomen's health needs.
Which I can summarise as: "affirm without question" or a version of "most vulnerable population ever".
Brief mention for "men can get pregnant too".

Nothing, not a word of guidance for people working with the CAMHS population. Nothing about differential diagnosis, nothing about ROGD, nothing about overlaps with ASD/trauma/ family systems concerns.
Nothing about using evidence-based practice and robust links to same (which would be typical of any other guidance or strategy documents).

That makes it extremely difficult to row against the tide.

Thanks all, on the Blocked and Reported podcast!

I was able to get it free via Spotify last night.

It’s good.