Improving care for individuals with gender incongruence: Establishing a multidisciplinary approach in Italy

Alberto Scala^{1

2}, Chiara Ceolin^{2

3

4}, Marina Miscioscia^{2

5

6}, Daniela Basso^{2

7}, Elena Campello^{2

8

9}, Valentina Camozzi^{2

10}, Annamaria Cattelan^{2

11}, Michela Gatta^{2

6}, Sandro Giannini^{2

9}, Massimo Iafrate^{2

12}, Giulia Musso⁷, Paolo Meneguzzo^{2

13}, Giancarlo Ottaviano^{2

14}, Rossella Perilli^{2

15}, Roberta Rosin¹⁶, Ilaria Ruzza¹⁷, Carlo Saccardi^{2

18}, Lolita Sasset^{2

11}, Giuseppe Sergi^{2

3}, Benedetta Tascini^{2

6}, Tommaso Vezzaro¹⁸, Fabrizio Vianello^{2

19}, Paolo Simioni^{2

8

9}, Alberto Ferlin^{1

2}, Andrea Garolla^{20

21

22}; Interdisciplinary Group for Gender Incongruence (GIIG)

Affiliations

¹ Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
² Regional Reference Center for Gender Incongruence (CRRIG), University Hospital of Padua, Veneto, Italy.
³ Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
⁴ Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
⁵ Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
⁶ Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Unit, Department of Women'S and Children'S Health, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
⁷ Laboratory Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
⁸ Haemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
⁹ Department of Medicine, Medical Clinic 1, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
¹⁰ Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Systems Medicine (DIDAS), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
¹¹ Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Systemic Medicine (DIDAS), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
¹² Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences (DISCOG), Urologic Clinic, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
¹³ Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
¹⁴ Department of Neurosciences, Otolaryngology Section, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
¹⁵ Innovation and Organizational Development Office, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
¹⁶ CON-TE-STARE Sportello Accoglienza Transgender- Centro ONIG, Padua, Italy.
¹⁷ SAT-Pink- Servizio Accoglienza Trans*, Padua, Italy.
¹⁸ Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Padova University Hospital, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
¹⁹ Hematology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
²⁰ Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy. andrea.garolla@unipd.it.
²¹ Regional Reference Center for Gender Incongruence (CRRIG), University Hospital of Padua, Veneto, Italy. andrea.garolla@unipd.it.
²² Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35121, Padua, Italy. andrea.garolla@unipd.it.

PMID: 40478402
PMCID: PMC12313810
DOI: 10.1007/s40618-025-02580-x

Improving care for individuals with gender incongruence: Establishing a multidisciplinary approach in Italy

Alberto Scala et al. J Endocrinol Invest. 2025 Aug.

. 2025 Aug;48(8):1839-1848.

doi: 10.1007/s40618-025-02580-x. Epub 2025 Jun 6.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
² Regional Reference Center for Gender Incongruence (CRRIG), University Hospital of Padua, Veneto, Italy.
³ Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
⁴ Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
⁵ Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
⁶ Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Unit, Department of Women'S and Children'S Health, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
⁷ Laboratory Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
⁸ Haemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
⁹ Department of Medicine, Medical Clinic 1, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
¹⁰ Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Systems Medicine (DIDAS), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
¹¹ Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Systemic Medicine (DIDAS), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
¹² Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences (DISCOG), Urologic Clinic, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
¹³ Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
¹⁴ Department of Neurosciences, Otolaryngology Section, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
¹⁵ Innovation and Organizational Development Office, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
¹⁶ CON-TE-STARE Sportello Accoglienza Transgender- Centro ONIG, Padua, Italy.
¹⁷ SAT-Pink- Servizio Accoglienza Trans*, Padua, Italy.
¹⁸ Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Padova University Hospital, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
¹⁹ Hematology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
²⁰ Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy. andrea.garolla@unipd.it.
²¹ Regional Reference Center for Gender Incongruence (CRRIG), University Hospital of Padua, Veneto, Italy. andrea.garolla@unipd.it.
²² Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35121, Padua, Italy. andrea.garolla@unipd.it.

PMID: 40478402
PMCID: PMC12313810
DOI: 10.1007/s40618-025-02580-x

Abstract

Purpose: To present a multidisciplinary care model designed to provide personalized gender-affirming care and assess general health for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals.

Methods: Drawing from our experience in a tertiary center in Padua (Italy), the Interdisciplinary Group for Gender Incongruence (GIIG) model employs a multidisciplinary approach to provide diverse gender-affirmation services. Mental health support, gender-affirming medical and surgical treatments (GAMST), screening programs, and regular follow-up ensure treatment safety and efficacy. The GIIG model promotes collaboration among specialists, primary health services, and LGBTQ + associations. Furthermore, it advocates for training healthcare professionals and raising awareness in the population.

Results: The GIIG involves mental health professionals, endocrinologists, surgeons (plastic, urological, and gynaecological), voice specialists, internists, and associations. Associations serve as a point of reference for the community and offer psychological and legal services. Initial contact at the Center is made with MHP, who provide a safe space to explore gender identity, receive information, and support mental well-being. Endocrinologists prescribe hormone therapy and monitor its potential risks and overall health. Surgical interventions include chest, genital, and laryngeal surgery. Internists and other specialists assess osteo-muscular, hemo-coagulative, oncological, and infectious risks.

Conclusions: Our experience emphasizes the need for personalized care tailored to individuals' desires while ensuring the safety of gender-affirming treatments. By adhering to the Standards of Care and offering comprehensive services, our center aims to serve as a model for modern transgender care.

Keywords: Gender-affirming care; Health; Multidisciplinary team; Person-centered care; Transgender.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors have no competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

Figures

**Fig. 1**
The Interdisciplinary Group for Gender Incongruence (GIIG)

See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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Improving care for individuals with gender incongruence: Establishing a multidisciplinary approach in Italy

Affiliations

Improving care for individuals with gender incongruence: Establishing a multidisciplinary approach in Italy

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

Figures

References

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources

Full Text Sources