Researchers from Alberta are 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, social work students at the University of Calgary, are conducting a study focusing on the perspectives of transgender individuals and healthcare professionals in Atlantic Canada.
Wallace emphasized the lack of comprehensive research on transgender individuals accessing healthcare services, particularly in the Atlantic Canada region. The World Health Organization defines gender-affirming care as inclusive of social, psychological, behavioral, and medical support that validates an individual’s gender identity.
AinZ Kendrick, the executive director of the P.E.I. Transgender Network, highlighted the broad spectrum of gender-affirming care beyond medical transitions, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to care. Both Thoms and Kendrick stressed the significance of respectful treatment, including the use of correct names and pronouns during medical visits.
Thoms and Wallace expressed a need for increased participation from Prince Edward Island residents in their study, noting a higher response rate from Newfoundland and Labrador. Kendrick acknowledged the existing stigma and fear within the transgender community, emphasizing the importance of building relationships with community organizations to foster trust and engagement.
Despite P.E.I.’s progressive gender-affirming care policies, Kendrick pointed out remaining barriers, such as unnecessary referrals for surgeries already available locally. The researchers aim to shed light on both challenges and positive experiences within the healthcare system for transgender individuals, with the hope of catalyzing positive change based on their study findings.
Thoms and Wallace plan to share their reports with the communities they engage with, aiming to advocate for improved care practices and better support for individuals seeking gender-affirming healthcare services.