Browsing by Author "Orvis, Shane"

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    Engaging community members to ensure culturally specific language is used in research: should I use gay, queer, MSM, or this other new acronym?
    (2023-09-04) Rubini, Kyle; Al-Bakri, Taim; Bridel, William; Clapperton, Andrew; Greaves, Mark; Hill, Nolan E.; Labrecque, Max; MacDonagh, Richard; Miguel, Glenndl; Orvis, Shane; Osbourne-Sorrell, Will; Randall, Taylor; Reid, Marco; Rosser, Andrew; Presseau, Justin; Vesnaver, Elisabeth
    Abstract Researchers often use terminology to define their participant groups that is rooted in a clinical understanding of the group’s shared identity(ies). Such naming often ignores the ways that the individuals who comprise these populations identify themselves. One oft-cited benefit of patient-oriented or community-engaged research is that language is local and relevant to impacted communities. This paper aims to contribute to the literature on how this local and relevant language can best be established. We ask how researchers can identify and implement accurate terminology, even when divergent perspectives exist within the communities involved. We draw from our experience with the Expanding Plasma Donation in Canada study, a community-engaged research study, which explored the views of people impacted by the “men who have sex with men” (MSM) blood donation policies in Canada. We describe the collaborative process through which we came to a consensual naming of this population, the challenges we faced, and a set of guiding principles we used to address them. We did not find an all-encompassing term or acronym that worked for all stages of research. Instead, we offer a set of guiding principles that can aid researchers engaging in a similar process: harm reduction, consent and transparency, collaboration and community involvement, recognition of missing voices, and resisting and/or restructuring oppressive standards.
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    Improved access yet inequitable experience: gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men’s views of more inclusive criteria for source plasma donation
    (2023-04-25) Vesnaver, Elisabeth; Butler-Foster, Terrie; Goldman, Mindy; Gibson, Emily; Palumbo, Amelia; Lapierre, Don; Hill, Nolan E.; MacDonagh, Richard; Rubini, Kyle A.; Bridel, William; Miguel, Glenndl; Rosser, Andrew; MacPherson, Paul; Randall, Taylor; Osbourne-Sorrell, William; O’Brien, Sheila F.; Otis, Joanne; Greaves, Mark; Al-Bakri, Taim B.; Germain, Marc; Orvis, Shane; Clapperton, Andrew T.; Reid, Marco; Labrecque, Maximilian; Devine, Dana; Presseau, Justin
    Abstract Background Canada has incrementally reduced restrictions to blood and plasma donation that impact men who have sex with men, gay, bisexual, and queer men, and some Two Spirit, transgender and non-binary individuals (MSM/2SGBTQ+). Prior to the launch of a pilot program in 2021 enabling some MSM/2SGBTQ + to donate source plasma, we explored the acceptability of the program among individuals who could become eligible to donate in the program. Methods We invited men identifying as MSM/2SGBTQ + to participate in two consecutive semi-structured interviews to explore their views on blood and plasma donation policy, plasma donation, and the proposed Canadian plasma donation program. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically and acceptability-related themes were mapped onto the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Results Twenty-seven men identifying as having sex with men participated in 53 interviews. Eighteen themes were mapped onto the seven construct domains of the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Underlying all aspects of acceptability was a tension between four primary values influencing participants’ views: altruism, equity, supply sufficiency, and evidence-based policy. The program was viewed as welcome progress on a discriminatory policy, with many excited to participate, yet tension with inequitable aspects of the program undermined support for the program and interest to contribute to it. The high demands of the program are unique for MSM/2SGBTQ + and are only tolerable as part of a program that is an incremental and instrumental step to more equitable donation policies. Conclusion Findings highlight past experiences of exclusion in Canada as a unique and critical part of the context of the donation experience among MSM/2SGBTQ+. Despite the program’s goals of greater inclusivity of MSM/2SGBTQ + individuals, the anticipated experience of the program included continued stigmatization and inequities. Future research should seek to understand the experienced views of MSM/2SGBTQ + donors to ensure that as policies change, policies are implemented equitably.