Modernizing Gender, Sex and Sexual Orientation (GSSO) Information Practices in Digital Health Systems

Over the past two years, communities and organizations from across Canada have been meeting bimonthly to discuss how to create inclusive digital health systems for sexual and gender minority populations. From this, we developed a high-level action plan that consisted of seven actions to modernize gender, sex, sexual orientation information (GSSO) practices in digital health systems. We are bringing these actions forward to other groups and organizations so that they can be part of moving towards more inclusive, culturally safe GSSO information practices.

What can happen because of poor GSSO data in our current digital health systems?

• Patients may be greeted by incorrect names and pronouns when interacting with health care providers and staff.
• Use of incorrect names and pronouns affects trust between patients and clinicians or staff.
• Patients may not receive the appropriate preventive screening or tests that match their anatomy.
• Valid test results may be discarded because the digital health system incorrectly identifies samples as mismatched.

What can I do to help?

Inform

• More information on current efforts to modernize GSSO terminology and information practices can be found at:
  • Canada Health Infoway Sex and Gender Working Group
  • GSSOHealth.uvic.ca
• Share information with those in your networks
• Forwarding the attached infographic

Engage

• Participate in ongoing special-topic discussions on how to implement changes to GSSO terminology and information practices (Second Tuesdays @ 9 PT/12 ET)
  • Registration link:  https://uvic.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ud--gqDMrE9z6A80wG8lIuEBBt7omvhVs
  • Policy & Practice discussions – Sept 14, 2021 & Oct 12, 2021
  • Setting-Specific discussions – Primary Care, Nov 9, 2021 & Acute Care, Nov 23, 2021
• Learn about the latest research and best practices (Fourth Tuesdays @ 9 PT/12 ET)
  • Sign up for the Canada Health Infoway Sex & Gender Working Group
  • Registration link:  https://infoway-inforoute.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcpduCqrz4qGtA0xOjmyRPlagavQoh2vt3N

Endorse

• Talk with your healthcare institution, professional or community organizations and encourage them to endorse the GSSO Action Plan.
  • For information and resource links, contact the Francis Lau (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), or Karen Courtney (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), or the University of Victoria Research Team (GSSOHealth.uvic.ca)