Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Differences of Sex Development (DSD) are rare, complex conditions requiring highly specialised, multidisciplinary care. Despite advances in clinical practice and international collaboration there is a need for structured generic training of all the clinical disciplines that may deliver specialist DSD care within the multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Objective: To develop a structured curriculum and training toolkit to support specialist healthcare professionals of various disciplines in delivering high-quality evidence-based care in the field of DSD.

Methods: A comprehensive curriculum toolkit was developed in 2024 through expert consensus within the SDMregistries Learning and Training Committee in response to requests from clinicians at SDMregistries events. The toolkit defines core learning outcomes across seven domains, including clinical management, psychological care, surgical considerations, gonadal management, transition to adult services, MDT working, and engagement in research and quality improvement. It incorporates workplace-based assessments, reflective practice, and evidence of clinical exposure and promotes integration with regional, national, and international DSD networks with a view to supporting standardisation of training while allowing flexibility for local implementation. The toolkit was launched in 2025 and is available via the SDMregistries (https://sdmregistries.org/dsd-training-toolkit/). Feedback questionnaires have been disseminated to initial users.

Results: To date feedback is available from 5 users of the toolkit from 4 centres in 4 countries who have trialled the toolkit. Of these 3 (60%) had a paediatric endocrinology background, one (20%) was from clinical genetics and one (20%) was from urology. Four (80%) of the users ‘strongly agreed’ and one (20%) ‘agreed’ that there is a need for a training toolkit in DSD. Three (60%) ‘strongly agreed’ and 2 (40%) ‘agreed’ that the toolkit is easy to understand and that it supports meaningful learning in DSD care. All users rated the resources provided as ‘useful’ and all participants reported that they would recommend the toolkit for DSD training.

Conclusions: The SDMregistries DSD Training Toolkit offers a practical approach to improving workforce capability in DSD. By embedding multidisciplinary practice with attention to quality evaluation and research, it aims to enhance patient care and facilitate collaboration within SDMregistries and beyond. Opportunities to provide feedback on the toolkit are ongoing.