THINKING OUTSIDE THE MEDICAL BOX

Better Healthcare and Holistic Support for People with Innate Variations of Sex Characteristics (IVSC)

Abstract

This interdisciplinary symposium in Lausanne (UNIL–CHUV) brings together researchers, healthcare professionals, psychosocial practitioners, and people with lived experience to explore approaches to healthcare and support for people with intersex variations or innate variations of sex characteristics (IVSC) that go beyond medical treatment.

It examines how social and medical norms surrounding sex, gender, embodiment, and family shape healthcare experiences and practices. It fosters dialogue across medicine, psychology, social work, ethics, law, social sciences, and gender studies, with particular attention to psychosocial support, family experiences, bodily integrity, informed consent, and shared decision-making.

The program includes an interdisciplinary workshop based on clinical case vignettes presented by two specialized VSC teams (Lausanne University Hospital CHUV and University Children’s Hospital Zurich), as well as a round table foregrounding the perspectives and expertise of people with lived experience.