We’d like to congratulate Dr. Murdoch Leeis and his research team for their published two manuscripts in the Canadian Journal of Anasthesia and the Canadian Journal of Kidney Health; “Sexual and gender minoritized persons in organ and tissue donation: a qualitative analysis/Les personnes issues des minorite´s sexuelles et de genre dans le don d’organes et de tissus : une analyse qualitative” and  “Lived Experiences of Sexual and Gender Minorities in Solid Organ Transplantation: A Best-Fit Framework Synthesis and Inductive Thematic Analysis.”

We recently had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Murdoch Leeis to find out more about the team’s work, key takeaways and future directions of the research. You can read more about this below.

What are key outcomes from the research that you think are important to highlight?
  • Donor risk assessments that stigmatize or exclude people based on their identity rather than true risk of infection are harmful to 2SLGBTQI+ registered donors and the caregivers of deceased donors
  • Failure to clearly communicate systemic inequities lead to mistrust in the organ and tissue donation system
  • 2SLGBTQI+ patients and caregivers in the organ and tissue donation system demand equitable policy revision from Health Canada and desire data-driven, behavior-based donor risk assessments rather than identity-based donor risk assessments
  • 2SLGBTQI+ transplant recipients experience discrimination and micro-aggressions when accessing routine transplant care, education for staff in 2SLGBTQI+ health and cultural humility could reduce these harms
  • There are opportunities to improve shared decision making between transplant teams and transplant recipients especially regarding gender-affirming hormone therapy and sexual and reproductive healthcare
  • 2SLGBTQI+ specific peer support networks for donors and transplant recipients are needed
 How do you think the research will advance the field?
  • These are the first published analyses of 2SLGBTQI+ patient and caregiver experiences in the organ and tissue donation and transplantation system.
  • The lived experiences, perspectives and priorities of 2SLGBTQI+ patients and caregivers reveal novel and actionable opportunities to enhance equity and inclusion in our system
How did the CDTRP contribute to initiating and supporting this work?

CDTRP supported this work through networking and connecting collaborators, through funding opportunities and as a network that facilitates knowledge mobilization of our results.

How could the CDTRP support the future directions of this work?
  • To provide an infrastructure through the PFD domain for a 2SLGBTQI+ specific peer support network
  • By disseminating information about a forthcoming curriculum for OTDT professionals to enhance 2SLGBTQI+ health and cultural humility.
About Murdoch Leeis

Dr. Leeies is an organ donation, critical care medicine and emergency medicine specialist physician based in Manitoba. Trained as a clinician investigator, he serves as the Director of Research for the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Manitoba.

Dr.Leeies leads a collaborative program of research with a focus on promoting health equity in organ and tissue donation and transplantation. This intersectional research program pairs with his clinical work as an organ donation specialist physician with the Transplant Manitoba Gift of Life program. Dr. Leeies extends his commitment to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) through academic and clinical service as the Director of EDI nationally for the Canadian Critical Care Society, and the Chair and Co-Chair (respectively) of the EDI committees for Critical Care Medicine and Emergency Medicine in Manitoba.

Dr. Leeies was recently awarded the Preparing for Research by Engaging Public and Patient Partners (PREPPP) Award from the University of Manitoba Centre for Healthcare Innovation in support of the development of a 2SLGBTQIA+ Patient & Public Advisory Team which will partner in the development of patient-centered research that explores the inequities that 2SLGBTQIA+ persons face in the Canadian organ and tissue donation and transplantation system. Through this work Dr. Leeies hopes to generate knowledge that can inform the reformation of structural and systemic elements of the health system that uphold these inequities.