Does anyone know when the new SOC become law? I saw all these great changes, but I have not seen anything change at the places where I go.

SOC  = standards of care ?

They don't become law... at any point.  They are merely a guideline that doctors refer to.  They are not bound to follow these guidelines in any way if they do not wish to.

Quote from: galena on April 20, 2012, 02:35:52 AM
They don't become law... at any point.  They are merely a guideline that doctors refer to.  They are not bound to follow these guidelines in any way if they do not wish to.

Most doctors I've seen don't even read them. They just use refer to them regardless of what they say to shift the blame off them.

The doctors I deal with stick to it like Moses with two stone tablets.  When I read the new outline and changes, I was really excited and felt that things were finally starting to move forward. 

Did you give a copy of the new version to your docs to have them read it?

Did you give a copy of the new version to your docs to have them read it?

I'd prefer to have a doctor I didn't have to train on the job.

QuoteI'd prefer to have a doctor I didn't have to train on the job.

Hallelujah to that. You made my day   To answer the question I told them but no I did not print it all out. Thanks for pointing that out I will most certainty be more proactive.

Quote from: Asfsd4214 on April 20, 2012, 02:40:44 AM
Most doctors I've seen don't even read them. They just use refer to them regardless of what they say to shift the blame off them.

The doctors in the U.K  often work against the SOC instead of working with them.

My doctor wants me to actually keep talking to my therapist... like... um... damnit you read the letter right? Meanwhile my therapist is always like "Yeah, whatever you want... now lets talk for like 40 minutes. So... how's life? How's your mom? Your brother? You're a smart girl. I'll write a prescription for your balls to be removed."

Quote from: tekla on April 20, 2012, 03:00:04 PM
Did you give a copy of the new version to your docs to have them read it?

I'd prefer to have a doctor I didn't have to train on the job.

A rare breed these days.

It's worth giving them the link..and then telling them to get more training. The latest version (7th ed, released Sept. 2011) is really a huge change from the last version (2001). This one points to informed consent models of care as a legitimate and appropriate path. Some things around letters for surgery have changed in helpful ways, too. http://www.wpath.org/documents/Standards%20of%20Care_FullBook_1g-1.pdf

Doctors and clinics don't have to abide by them (nor do insurance companies, alas), but we have a lot more leverage at this point than we did even last summer. The people who put the SOC together - including trans people - are some of the most experienced providers of trans health care on the planet.

And while the SOC isn't legally binding, I thought it was really powerful that the US government referred to WPATH and the SOC (earlier version) as an authoritative body. The current passport requirements allow gender marker changes with no definition of "clinical treatment," and a prohibition against clerks asking the trans person what medical interventions they have had, or whether they have had any at all.   

I'll certainly provide resources to my doctors, especially when it's in my best interest.

We have a sign in the crew room at the Fillmore that says: You don't get trained here, you get here trained.  Glad to know we have higher standards for rock shows than people have for medical care.