Lessons Learned Developing Client Navigation for People who are Trans and Gender Diverse

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Community-Based Participatory Research
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Trans and gender diverse people (PTGD) experience significant healthcare disparities in Canada, particularly in Saskatchewan.
• Existing healthcare systems often fail to meet the specific needs of PTGD, leading to underserved populations.
• Community-identified needs highlight the urgency for improved healthcare access for PTGD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and implement a research project addressing critical, community-identified needs for enhanced healthcare access for PTGD in Saskatchewan.
• To develop and evaluate a healthcare navigation program tailored to the unique challenges faced by PTGD.
• To foster a responsive and sustainable research initiative centered on the experiences of PTGD.

Main Methods:

• Established a multidisciplinary, community-based research collaboration.
• Utilized a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach from the project's inception.
• Designed and evaluated a pilot healthcare navigation program for PTGD.

Main Results:

• The pilot program demonstrated potential for improving healthcare access for PTGD.
• Key lessons were derived from the project's implementation and evaluation.
• The collaborative approach facilitated the creation of a responsive research team.

Conclusions:

• Prioritizing team building and well-being is crucial for research sustainability.
• Early and sustained commitment to community-based participatory approaches is essential.
• Mindful language use and addressing power dynamics are vital for equitable research.
• Lessons learned enabled the formation of a diverse, responsive research team centered on PTGD experiences.