Introduction: Patients with differences in sex development represent a complex pediatric population with varying psychosocial and medical needs. Due to the complexity of care, families likely benefit from multidisciplinary care allowing for coordination of psychosocial and health services. Unfortunately, there are few data on the experiences of families of patients with differences of sex development in a multidisciplinary setting, such as their satisfaction with health care or their level of shared decision making.
Methods: Patients and guardians seen in a multidisciplinary, differences in sex development clinic were asked to participate in an anonymous online survey of their satisfaction with health care delivery (Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form) and involvement in shared decision making (Shared Decision Making Questionnaire). Welch's t-test was used to compare mean survey scores to historical and contemporary control populations.
Results: In all, 22 guardians and 1 young adult patient completed surveys. Median patient age was 36 months. Patient diagnoses were diverse, with the most common diagnosis beings 46, XY DSD (34.8%). At the time of their clinic visit, 7 patients had undergone surgery. Mean satisfaction scores were higher than a primary care population and comparable to patients and patients' caregivers with chronic medical conditions. The mean shared decision making score was well above adult populations and similar to caregiver reports in pediatric outpatient clinics.
Conclusions: Despite the complex treatment associated with differences of sex development, families are very satisfied with the quality of care they receive in a multidisciplinary setting and appear to feel personally invested in the decision making process.
Keywords: decision making, shared; disorders of sex development; patient satisfaction.