When a person gives “Informed Consent,” it means that the individual possesses the cognitive ability to make an informed and independent decision about their health care and are choosing to do so without coercion.
If you are told you have to get a letter from a therapist to state you are mentally competent and are “eligible” for your desired medical treatment YOU ARE NOT USING INFORMED CONSENT.
Informed consent is the process that happens between you and your medical provider: the medical provider describes the intended effects and side effects of the treatment; after you have been informed of the effects and potential side effects, you may choose to give consent to receive the treatment.
ICATH is not a standard of care. This project supports the use of Informed Consent uniformly for all, regardless of gender identity.
At this time, those under the age of 18 need parental consent.The ICATH model reflects the basic human right to self-actualization. ICATH is not an institution, an agency or an organization: the use of Informed Consent is a trans-affirmative Standard of Care that is acknowledged and honored by medical providers around the world.
When giving informed consent, no therapist or letter is required, the patient is informed by the medical provider what a medication's effects (reversible, and irreversible) will be when administered. The patient, once informed, gives their consent to receive such treatment under the care of the provider.
ICATH promotes a departure from the system that uses Gender Identity Disorder Diagnosis and Gender Dysphoria as a means for accessing gender-confirming health care, and follows the Standard of Care already established for non-trans people accessing gender affirming healthcare.