A qualitative situational analysis of transition services for transgender adults in Belgrade, Serbia

Transgender (trans) individuals encompass a wide variety of people whose gender expression or identity does not fit society’s expectations in relation to the sex and gender role they were assigned at birth. Some may opt for... [ view full abstract ]

Transgender (trans) individuals encompass a wide variety of people whose gender expression or identity does not fit society’s expectations in relation to the sex and gender role they were assigned at birth. Some may opt for a combination of medical services such as psycho-social support, hormone assistance and/or surgeries in order to change their bodies to more properly fit their identity and experience of gender, while others may opt for no, little or only some types of gender-affirming health care.

Serbia has become a major destination for gender confirming surgeries, as The Belgrade Gender Team of the Belgrade School of Medicine has become known for their number of specialists, technical expertise and relative low costs. At the same time the team is situated in a challenging context comprised of a turbulent history, transitioning economy and varying views on gender and sexuality. As one of the leading recognized and established international medical teams in Europe it is unclear how in the current climate and legal context care practices align with the diverse needs and experiences of trans individuals as well as the current discourses and recommendations in trans health care.

To describe how 'The Belgrade Gender Team of the Belgrade School of Medicine' provides services to transgender adults in the context of Serbia, standards of care, and dominant themes in trans health discourses. [ view full abstract ]

To describe how 'The Belgrade Gender Team of the Belgrade School of Medicine' provides services to transgender adults in the context of Serbia, standards of care, and dominant themes in trans health discourses.

A qualitative cross-sectional ethnographic approach used to elicit on gender confirming health care and transition services in Belgrade and current dominant themes in trans healthcare. In-depth interviews are conducted with... [ view full abstract ]

A qualitative cross-sectional ethnographic approach used to elicit on gender confirming health care and transition services in Belgrade and current dominant themes in trans healthcare. In-depth interviews are conducted with medical professionals providing gender transition healthcare services, non-medical professional advocates for trans individuals serve as key-informants. Content focused on the Belgrade Gender Team, transition services in Belgrade, standards of care, classification of trans identities, and client profile. In preparation for interviews relevant published literature and policy statements from academia, international and governmental institutions and civil-society organizations were reviewed. Grounded theory, triangulation and content analysis guide the research.

Congruence between dominant themes in trans health care and practices of the Belgrade Gender Team, including non-binary access to services. [ view full abstract ]

Congruence between dominant themes in trans health care and practices of the Belgrade Gender Team, including non-binary access to services.

Expected results will assist in improving access to non-surgical transition health services for trans adults in Serbia as well as aligning services with dominant demands of trans advocates. The results identify the historical... [ view full abstract ]

Expected results will assist in improving access to non-surgical transition health services for trans adults in Serbia as well as aligning services with dominant demands of trans advocates. The results identify the historical and future trajectory of trans health services in Serbia including areas of current best practice and challenges among an established medical team. The context in which a medical team exists can highly dictate provision of services. Additionally, medical tourism has a kind of impact or provision of services, neither purely positive or negative.

It is expected trans healthcare in Serbia, as well as other areas in Europe, is not solely comprised of decisions by medical professionals but context and society as well. There remains room for medical professionals and... [ view full abstract ]

It is expected trans healthcare in Serbia, as well as other areas in Europe, is not solely comprised of decisions by medical professionals but context and society as well. There remains room for medical professionals and society to expand for trans individuals to have the highest standard of care, self-determination, and autonomy.