Hi guys, need some advice! I have just over two weeks to gather up some info and my thoughts before I see my GP to discuss starting HRT. He's a lovely open-minded fellow and said he'd help me in any way he can, but he doesn't know much about trans issues. I don't want to demand he give me a T script on the spot, but I thought I'd tell him a bit about what I want and need and give him info, such as excerpts from the WPATH SOC 7, so he can make his own decision without pressure. I am willing to submit to an assessment by a mental health professional and get a letter to start T if he isn't comfortable using just informed consent. So my question is what kind of info and how much should I provide on the day and how do I word asking him whether he's comfortable with informed consent or a psych assessment? In his clinic they have psychologists, so if he wanted an assessment I would hope I could just see one of them. What are your thoughts?
If he does e-mail, you might also send him a link to Nick Gorton's book on FTM health--or print it out and take it along. But I think it's better to give him the info up front so that he is ready when you show up. You should also see if you can hunt up a couple of different consent forms used by informed consent clinics. I've seen one or two online.
When you see him, you can easily explain (without stating a preference) that some physicians do informed consent, some require a few psych visits, and some want the whole three months of psych visits. (You might not want to suggest more than three months, and you might not even want to mention three months' worth!) But once you establish that different doctors choose different routes to HRT, you can simply ask him what he is comfortable with--or say that you would like to discuss the various options with him. You don't need to whip out the form right away if you think it will look presumptuous or pushy.
If he's not at all comfortable with informed consent, he will probably let you know right away. If he's willing to discuss the options, you can kick ideas around.
I'd like to help, but I think Arch pretty much hit the nail on the head with this one. :P However, uber grats on the appointment, I hope it goes swimmingly! :)
Thanks Arch and Bane :) I hadn't thought of it, but I like the idea of wording it with "some doctors choose to initiate treatment by (options A, B, C, etc.)" so thanks for that! I have a book published by an FTM author called "Transitioning Female to Male in Australia" that I thought may have some useful info, too. Do you know offhand where I might find the links to some of the consent forms? That's a brilliant suggestion.
I don't know but absolute submission has always worked for me with doctors. btw. You look very male. good work!
I would recommend you find some doctors in your state/country or nearby and give him a list of doctors who you know work with transgender and have their phone number so he can call them and get information. Sometimes they want to hear it from folks in the profession. I know in Minnesota we have an annual transgender health conference in which many medical professionals attend to and learn about techniques and stuff.
Thank you, fionabell :) And to Robert - that's something else I hadn't thought of. I actually have such a list, too. Thanks, mate!
Here's a guide for Health care professionals working with trans men. It's really thorough and informative, and I'd recommend that you ask your doctor to read it. The link to the free book is at the bottom of the page.
http://www.nickgorton.org/ (http://www.nickgorton.org/)
Doctors don't really have time to read books on obscure topics.
go see him giving the impression of being either a stereo FtM or a TG and say you think you need to transition to something and can he recommend you to one of his colleagues who knows about the subject.
put the ball in his court without pressurising him.