A team of researchers based in Alberta is reaching out to residents of Prince Edward Island to discuss the challenges faced by transgender adults seeking gender-affirming healthcare. Sandra Thoms and Nicholas Wallace, students of social work at the University of Calgary, are concentrating on the Atlantic Canada region for their study, which includes insights from both transgender individuals and healthcare professionals.
Wallace highlighted the scarcity of research on the experiences of transgender individuals accessing healthcare services, particularly in the context of Atlantic Canada. Gender-affirming care, as defined by the World Health Organization, encompasses various interventions—social, psychological, behavioral, and medical—that validate and support a person’s gender identity.
AinZ Kendrick, the executive director of the P.E.I. Transgender Network, emphasized the comprehensive nature of gender-affirming care beyond medical transitioning, advocating for a holistic approach to healthcare for transgender individuals. Thoms echoed this sentiment, underscoring the significance of basic respect, such as using correct names and pronouns during medical visits.
Despite a substantial number of participants from Newfoundland and Labrador, Thoms and Wallace observed a lower engagement rate from Prince Edward Island, prompting them to seek broader participation across the region. Kendrick attributed the reluctance to participate in the study to persistent stigma and fear within the transgender community, urging researchers to foster relationships with established community organizations to improve engagement.
While acknowledging P.E.I.’s progressive policies on gender-affirming care, Kendrick pointed out existing barriers, such as the need for local provision of certain healthcare services like mastectomies instead of referring patients elsewhere. The researchers aim to shed light not only on existing challenges but also on positive experiences within the healthcare system for transgender individuals.
Thoms and Wallace intend to share their findings with the communities they engaged with, with the hope of instigating positive changes in healthcare practices. Their ultimate goal is to leverage the collected data to advocate for improved healthcare services for transgender individuals based on the firsthand experiences shared during the study.