Participatory development of a telemedicine platform for transgender and gender diverse individuals: An interdisciplinary design thinking approach to inclusive healthcare

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17169/ogj.2026.421

Keywords:

Interdisciplinarity, Participation, transgender, Technology, Therapy

Abstract

This interdisciplinary research project examines a participatory development process of a telemedicine platform for trans* and gender diverse (TGD) individuals. The process was based on a design thinking approach involving professionals from psychology, app development, virtual reality technology, and health research. A community collaboration board (CCB) of four TGD persons accompanied the project. The aim of the present paper is to analyze to what extent TGD persons could be involved in the project based on a model of participation with nine stages. Further, we want to analyze how the CCB perceived the collaboration. Semi-structured interviews with CCB members were conducted and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Participation can be located at stage six named involvement and partial co-determination. Collaboration was experienced as open and appreciative, while need for improvement regarding communication, transparency, and actual influence was identified.

Author Biographies

Sophia Ersel, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Sophia Ersel (she/her) holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in psychology and now works as a clinical and research associate at the Institute for Sexology and Sexual Medicine and at the Center for Gender Diversity and Reconstructive Genital Surgery at Charité – University Hospital Berlin. Her work focuses on gender and sexuality.

Michele Haink, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Michele Haink (she/her) has an academic background in sociology and public health. Michele Haink is currently a research assistant at the Institute of Gender in Medicine at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and a member of the Diversity and Junior Research Group. Michele Haink conducts research in the field of queer health, with a focus on mental health.

Sina Pollmann, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Sina Pollmann works in psychology, science, therapy and education, focusing on sexuality and gender. They currently work at the Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine and the Center for Gender Diversity and Reconstructive Surgery at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. In their scientific work, Sina focuses on the mental health of transgender people and their needs during the transition process. They offer psychological support during the transition process in group and individual settings, as well as sexual therapy for anyone in need.

Hannah Weber, University of Potsdam

Hannah Weber (she/her) is currently pursuing a master's degree in sociology with a focus on Gender Studies at the University of Potsdam, where she also works at the Lehrbereich Geschlechtersoziologie.

Kilian Flade, MRTZ GmbH

Kilian Flade (he/him) is a facilitator and consultant for participatory processes. His clients include organizations, cities, and companies. In his projects, he combines his knowledge from his studies in urban and regional planning (B.Sc. & M.Sc., TU Berlin) with training in design thinking (Hasso Plattner Institute) and moderation (Berlin School of Journalism). Kilian Flade works independently through his own company, MRTZ GmbH.

Daa Un Moon, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Daa Un Moon (she/her) is a physician and researcher at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Her research focuses on digital mental health and health services research, with a particular interest in the development and clinical evaluation of digital interventions and the use of population-based data to investigate mental healthcare and outcomes.

Pichit Buspavanich, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Dr. med. Pichit Buspavanich (pronouns: he/him) has been a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy since 2021. At the Research Unit Gender in Medicine, he leads a junior research group on Diversity and Gender in Medicine at the Charité - Universtiätsmedizin Berlin.  His clinical work focuses on healthcare for transgender and gender-diverse individuals, integrating innovative group dynamics concepts and digital interventions. Pichit received his medical degree from the Charité - University Medicine Berlin in 2013. He completed his residency at the Medical University of Brandenburg and returned to the Charité - Universtiätsmedizin Berlin in 2019.

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Published

2026-10-29

How to Cite

Ersel, S., Haink, M., Pollmann, S., Weber, H., Flade, K., Moon, D. U., & Buspavanich, P. (2026). Participatory development of a telemedicine platform for transgender and gender diverse individuals: An interdisciplinary design thinking approach to inclusive healthcare. Open Gender Journal, (4). https://doi.org/10.17169/ogj.2026.421

Issue

No. 4 (2026): Institutionalizing Gender and Diversity: Interdisciplinary Perspectives

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Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Sophia Ersel, Michele Haink, Sina Pollmann, Hannah Weber, Kilian Flade, Daa Un Moon, Pichit Buspavanich

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