Enhancing Gender-affirming Surgical Education: A Cross-Canada Initiative In Plastic Surgery

Purpose : Gender Affirming Surgery (GAS) is a key approach to alleviating gender dysphoria for the Trans & Gender Diverse (TGD) community. GAS has been shown to significantly improve quality of life and reduce gender dysphoria among recipients. Despite this, there remains a shortage of providers trained to perform these procedures, with Canadian waitlists extending up to 30 months. This provider gap represents a critical healthcare access issue affecting thousands of Canadians. One contributing factor may be the variable training experiences in GAS across Canada. The objective of this study is to map the current state of GAS training in Canada, evaluate alignment between trainee and educator perspectives, and identify steps toward developing a standardized national curriculum. Methods : Adopting an interpretivist paradigm that acknowledges the influence of social and contextual factors on training experiences, this study utilized a mixed methods convergent design . Qualitative data: Interviews were conducted with senior plastic surgery trainees to assess their confidence and perspectives regarding GAS procedures. Quantitative data: Surveys containing both closed and open-ended questions were distributed to program curricular leads to assess administrative valuation and implementation of GAS training. Data were analyzed using thematic coding for qualitative responses and descriptive statistics for quantitative data. Results : Key findings include: Variation in program structure for GAS training across Canadian institutions. Identified strengths and weaknesses in training from the perspective of trainees. Evaluation of core competencies related to GAS procedures. Misalignment or gaps between administrative intent and trainee experience. These insights point to areas of potential improvement and harmonization in GAS training. Conclusion : This study highlights significant variability and limitations in current GAS training across Canadian plastic surgery residency programs. Based on the findings, recommendations are being developed to support the creation of a unified national curriculum , aimed at equipping all Canadian plastic surgeons with the necessary skills and knowledge to care for TGD patients, regardless of their chosen sub-specialization. *Source: https://ps-rc.org/meeting/Program/2026/AS100.cgi*