Living with Crohn’s or colitis means recurring medical appointments, which are critical for managing the disease. For many Canadians, these visits can cause anxiety and discomfort, especially for those from marginalized communities.
For transgender and gender-diverse individuals, the healthcare system can be even more challenging. Past experiences of discrimination can make them feel unsafe or uncomfortable, limiting their ability to receive proper care.
Taylor Stocks, a transgender individual with severe pancolitis since 2017, shares their experience:
"Our healthcare system makes assumptions about gender, sex, and bodies that don’t reflect transgender realities and medical needs. Transphobia and ignorance about gender diversity in medical settings make managing my disease much more difficult.”
To address these challenges, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada funds a study focused on the needs of transgender and gender-diverse individuals that aims to transform the healthcare experience, promote more inclusive care, and improve outcomes.
Leading the charge
The study is led by Dr. Noelle Rohatinsky from the University of Saskatchewan, a nurse, researcher, and IBD patient herself. Her experience as a nurse at Saskatoon’s Royal University Hospital highlighted for her the disparities in care experienced by marginalized individuals.
“If you don’t access care, you face a higher risk for health disparities and negative health outcomes, including more hospitalizations and surgeries,” she says. “We must build safe, inclusive clinical environments for transgender and gender-diverse individuals living with Crohn's or colitis so they feel comfortable sharing their concerns and experiences with their providers.”
Watch Dr. Rohatinsky explain her research
A collaborative effort
The study also involves Dr. Laura Targownik, a clinician-researcher at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital. She is one of the few researchers in the world studying the experiences of gender-diverse individuals with gastrointestinal diseases.
“There are more than 1,000 trans and gender-diverse people living with Crohn’s or colitis in Canada. It’s critical that we understand the support they need, how it affects care, and how living with the diseases affects the lives of people living outside the gender binary,” Dr. Targownik explains.
Barbara Currie, an IBD nurse practitioner at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, is also on the team. She spent years creating inclusive clinical environments, particularly for gender-diverse patients.
"Even simple changes, like being attentive to pronouns and language can make a significant difference in how patients experience care," Currie notes. “When they prepare for a physical exam or have to detail bowel functions, it can cause stress and prevent them from receiving care.”
Looking ahead
This study aims to fill a significant research gap, which is why the team plans to share results and recommendations in the hopes of bringing attention to this issue. It underscores the need for ongoing research to ensure that all patients receive the care and support they deserve.