Grant: Health System Impact Fellowships - PostDoc Central Canada 2-year

In 2021, Canadian Blood Services, Canada's national blood operator outside of Quebec, took meaningful steps to reduce the blood donation restrictions on gay, bisexual and all men who have sex with men. A small pilot program with expanded eligibility for source plasma donation (a type of blood donation) was launched in two cities. Canadian Blood Services also made a request to Health Canada to remove a question on the donor health questionnaire about sex between men and add instead questions about sexual activity for all donors. These steps are important because they make progress on donation rules that are viewed as discriminatory and they increase the number of potential donors who can contribute to the domestic supply of blood and blood products. As more previously excluded donors are welcomed into the blood system, we need to understand their experiences to ensure that changes are made in an equitable way. This project aims to hear from men who identify as gay, bisexual or as having sex with men about the changes to blood donation rules, and if they have donated, what their experience was like. We will examine the screening process from their perspectives to identify any areas that need improvement and we will work with members of these communities to make recommendations for change. By hearing from and working with members of the impacted communities, we will improve access to donation for these communities and we may also learn ways to improve their experience in other health system interactions and environments. This project will also provide Canadian Blood Services with an approach to examine the equity of donation screening experience that can improve the experience for all donors.