about the clinic · standard of care · LGBT+ patients · people undergoing and post-transition · Gdańsk
There is no orientation or identity in the office - there is the patient and his health. It sounds like a declaration, but it has very specific consequences in medicine. A patient who feels he has to keep silent about something gives an incomplete interview. An incomplete interview means worse diagnosis. Therefore, whether someone can tell the truth about themselves here is not a matter of worldview - it is a matter of the quality of treatment.
Author: Łukasz Piwowarski, CEO of Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej · Editorial work: Editorial team of Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej · Substantive consultation: medical team of the Island of Friendly Medicine · Date of creation: 07.08.2026 · Updated: 07.08.2026
The text describes the standard of care applicable in our clinic and does not constitute medical advice. Information regarding hormone therapy, qualifications for treatments and diagnostics is of a general nature - decisions in these matters are always made by the attending physician, individually and after the examination.
What does it mean in practice
- We ask about sexual life when it is important for diagnosis - never out of curiosity and never as a comment.
- We do not assume the gender of the patient's partner in advance.
- We address the patient by the name and form he uses, regardless of what appears in the documents.
- We provide data in the documentation in accordance with formal requirements, but the conversation takes place on the patient's terms.
- We see people during and after transition within the scope of our specializations, in cooperation with the doctor conducting the therapy.
- Hormone therapy is important for the interpretation of some tests and for planning treatments - that's why we ask about it.
- We do not comment on the patient's decisions about his own body and we do not evaluate his life choices.
- Medical records are confidential - this applies to all information, including information provided in the interview.
- The patient decides how much he wants to say. We only mark what we need to treat reliably.
- This is not an offer addressed to a selected group. This is a standard that applies to everyone.
A few words about the author
Łukasz Piwowarski is the co-founder and CEO of Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej in Gdańsk. He is responsible for the organization of the clinic's work, patient service standards and the manner of contact with us from the first phone call to registration. This text describes the principles on which we have built this part of our work.
Why are we writing about this at all
One could assume that it is obvious and does not require a separate text. The problem is that for many people it is not obvious - because they have had experiences that taught them caution.
We hear stories from patients about visits during which a question was asked about their wife before anyone asked about their partner. About situations in which the interview stopped halfway because the patient sensed a change in tone. About postponing tests for years because the visit would mean having to explain myself.
Each of these situations has medical consequences. A patient who does not talk about symptoms because he is afraid of the reaction does not receive proper diagnosis. A patient who remains silent about hormone therapy risks misinterpretation of the results. A patient who does not report bleeding for five years has a bigger problem than he had to deal with.
That's why this is not a text about values. This is a text about conditions in which medicine simply works better.
For us there is no gender. There is a patient
We have been repeating this sentence in the clinic from the beginning and it is worth explaining what exactly it means - because it does not mean that gender is irrelevant in medicine.
Biological sex, the presence of specific organs, hormones taken - this is information of real clinical importance. They influence the interpretation of tests, the risk of diseases, the selection of doses and qualification for treatments. A doctor must know them to treat reliably.
It's something else. That we treat this information in exactly the same way as blood pressure or medications taken: as medical data, and not as a reason for a comment. We ask, take notes, take into account in the proceedings - and move on. No pause, no exchange of glances, no change of tone.
Similarly with identity and orientation. We don't care who a patient loves or how they define themselves - except when it matters to their health. We are interested in him being able to say everything that is important, without calculating how it will sound.
The voice of our doctors
"In urology, questions about sexual life are part of the interview, just like questions about medications or smoking. I don't ask them out of curiosity - I ask them because the answer determines what tests I will order and what I will look for. A patient who is afraid to answer honestly receives worse care from me. Not because I try less, but because I work with incomplete data."
Jakub Krącz, MD, urologist
"In proctology, patients come in embarrassed - the area itself is enough. If there is also the fear of being judged for who they are, some of them simply do not come at all. And I prefer to see an anal fissure in the second week than a chronic one after two years. My task is to examine and help, not to comment."
medicine Kamil Smok, surgeon, proctologist
"In procedures, qualification is based on the patient's anatomy, health condition and real expectations. I assess these three things the same in everyone. Patients undergoing the transition often ask whether it will be a problem - it is not. The problem is something else: they come after years of looking for someone who will simply examine them."
medicine Piotr Rak, surgeon
Patients during and after transition
We have patients in the clinic at various stages of transition. For us, this primarily means specific medical information that we need to know to treat safely.
Hormone therapy affects the body in a clinically significant way: on the metabolic and lipid profile, on the risk of thrombosis, on bone density, on skin and hair, as well as on the interpretation of some laboratory tests. It is important when planning treatments, assessing healing and selecting treatment. That's why we ask about it directly - not to determine "who someone is", but to know what is happening in the body.
Similarly with the history of treatments. What surgeries the patient has undergone and what organs he or she has determines the scope of preventive tests and what we look for for specific symptoms. This isn't curiosity - it's the basis of diagnosis.
At the same time, we say clearly where the limits of our competences are. We do not provide hormone therapy or diagnostics for gender dysphoria - this is a task for doctors and centers that deal with it. We accept patients within our specializations: urology, surgery, proctology, aesthetic medicine - and we are happy to cooperate with the treating physician if the patient so wishes. We believe it is more honest than declaring competences that we do not have.
What a patient can expect with us
| Situation | What it looks like with us |
|---|---|
| First contact with registration | You can immediately say what name and form to address you |
| Documentation | We enter formal data as required, but in the conversation we use what you indicate |
| Questions about the partner | We ask them neutrally, without assuming gender |
| Questions about sex life | Only when they are important for the diagnosis - and with an explanation of why we are asking |
| Hormone therapy | We treat it like any other chronic treatment: we ask, take notes, take into account |
| Examination | We explain what we are doing and why; you can stop it at any time |
| Accompanying person | You can come with someone close to you, if that's easier for you |
| Confidentiality | Everything you say is covered by medical confidentiality |
If any of these points fails - we want to know about it. We do not treat it as a standard announced once and forgotten, but as something that must be maintained. Comments can be submitted to the registration or directly to me.
What we don't have
Sometimes it's easier to describe a standard by what it lacks.
- No questions asked out of curiosity. If we ask about something, it is related to diagnostics or the safety of the procedure.
- There are no comments for the patient's choices. No praise, no comments, no "have you ever wondered...".
- No surprise. We've seen it all and nothing really surprises us.
- There is no pre-assumption. We do not assume the partner's gender, lifestyle or what research is "for whom".
- There is no need to refer the patient elsewhere "because it will be more convenient for him". We only refer further if the problem is beyond our competence.
- There is no rainbow sticker on the door instead of the standard one. We prefer that our approach be reflected in what the visit looks like.
This last point is important to us. An unsubstantiated declaration is more harmful than its absence, because the patient comes with confidence and feels disappointment even more. That's why we try not to promise more than we actually do.
What you can do to make your visit better
This is not a list of requirements - rather a few things that make it easier for us to help you in practice.
- Tell us right away how we should address you. You can do this when registering by phone.
- Tell me about all the medications and hormones you take. This is one of the most important pieces of information for the doctor.
- Tell us about the treatments you have undergone. They influence what we look for and how we plan our actions.
- Do not filter symptoms. Even if they seem embarrassing or off-topic to you.
- Ask why we askif something seems out of place. We will always explain.
- Tell me if something worries you during the examination. We can interrupt it or change the way.
- Come with a loved oneif it's easier for you.
And the most important thing: if you have been postponing your visit for months or years because you are afraid of the reaction - this is the reason why we wrote this text. The symptom will not go away by waiting, and the longer it takes, the more difficult treatment may be.
You don't have to explain yourself. All you have to do is call
We are a urological and surgical clinic in Gdańsk. We accept patients within our specializations, on the same principles - without assuming anything in advance.
Make an appointment Urological consultationIsland of Friendly Medicine in Gdańsk
We are a private clinic in Gdańsk. We deal with urology, andrology, surgery, proctology and aesthetic medicine. The name "Island of Friendly Medicine" was not created by accident - from the very beginning we wanted it to be a place where the patient does not have to prepare mentally for the visit.
The standard described in this text applies to all patients, regardless of who they are and what they come with. The current scope of services, availability of doctors, prices and rules of preparation for a visit should be confirmed during registration.
Meet Łukasz Piwowarski Urology consultation Proctology consultation
FAQ - care without assumptions
Do I have to talk about my orientation or identity?
You don't have to. Say as much as you want. The doctor will ask about things important to the diagnosis - and explain why he is asking. The rest is up to you.
Can I request to be called by my chosen name?
Yes, and you can report it when registering. We provide formal data in the documentation in accordance with legal requirements, but in the conversation we use the name and form that you indicate.
Do you accept people in transition?
Yes, within our areas of specialization. We do not provide hormone therapy or diagnostics for gender dysphoria - other centers deal with this. However, we are happy to cooperate with the doctor conducting the therapy.
Why are you asking about hormone therapy?
Because it has clinical significance: it affects the metabolic profile, thrombotic risk, healing, skin and the interpretation of some tests. We treat it like any other chronic treatment we ask about in the interview.
Why does the doctor ask about sex life?
Because the selection of tests and what the doctor is looking for depend on this information. Questions are asked for that purpose, not out of curiosity. If anything seems out of place, you can ask for clarification.
Will what I say stay in the office?
Yes. The information provided to the doctor is covered by medical confidentiality and constitutes part of medical records protected by data protection regulations.
Can I come with my partner?
Yes. You can come with a loved one if that is easier for you. We agree with you how the examination will be conducted and who is present in the office.
Is this offer only for LGBT+ people?
No. This is a standard applicable to all patients. We write about it separately only because for some people it is not obvious - and sometimes it is a reason for postponing the visit.
What to do if something goes wrong during the visit?
Tell us about it - register or contact me directly. We take such signals seriously because a standard is only maintained when it is tested in practice.
What does the clinic do?
Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej is a private clinic in Gdańsk dealing with urology, andrology, surgery, proctology and aesthetic medicine. The scope of services and availability of doctors is confirmed by registration.
Materials and references
- Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej, Łukasz Piwowarski: https://www.wyspamedycynyPrzyjaznej.pl/pl/lukasz-piwowarski-ceo
- Wyspa Medycyny Przyjaznej, urological consultation: https://www.wyspamedycynyPrzyjaznej.pl/pl/konsultacja-urologiczna
- Island of Friendly Medicine, proctological consultation: https://www.wyspamedycynyPrzyjaznej.pl/pl/konsultacja-proktologiczna-gdansk
- World Health Organization, Gender and health: https://www.who.int/health-topics/gender
- NHS, Gender dysphoria: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/
- NHS, Sexual health: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/
- NHS, Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sexually-transmitted-infections-stis/
- Patient Ombudsman, patient rights: https://www.gov.pl/web/rpp
- Supreme Medical Chamber, Code of Medical Ethics: https://nil.org.pl/dokumenty/kodeks-etyki-lekarska