Posting Guidelines
Click image above to submit review.
What are these Reviews about?
The Community Reviews of Providers are posts that community members make on this website where they review their doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff. The posts can be read here but you need the password to access the page. Once you click through, look for additional instructions on the right side of the page.
Information to Include in your Review
- Reason for Visit & General Summary
- Respect & Safety
- Communication
- Confidentiality & Privacy
- Support Staff
- Sensitivity to Trans Identity and Experiences
- Other
Invitation to Write a Review!
If you are trans, Two Spirit, and/or non-binary and live in the Champlain Region or Gatineau we REALLY want you to write a community review.
WHO CAN I REVIEW:
WHO IS EXCLUDED FROM REVIEW:
NOTE:
WHO CAN I REVIEW:
- Any providers in the Champlain Region offering trans-specific or non-trans related health care to trans, Two Spirit, non-binary and gender nonconforming patients/clients;
- Any providers outside the Champlain Region who offer transition-related services to patients/clients from the Champlain Region and Gatineau;
- Primary and community-based care (i.e. family doctors, nurse practitioners, social workers, psychologists);
- Specialist care (i.e. endocrinologists, surgeons who perform hysterectomy, orchiectomy, vaginoplasty, metoidioplasty, phalloplasty, breast augmentation, chest reconstruction, etc).
WHO IS EXCLUDED FROM REVIEW:
- Professionals or community members who provided the service to the patient/client in a volunteer capacity.
NOTE:
- The THIO discussion forum can be used to discuss excluded topics.
Some Guidelines for Reviews
- Be descriptive so your peers can use your review to help prepare themselves for their first visit/consult;
- If you would like to see a specific change, try to frame it as a positive suggestion;
- If something about your visit was upsetting, focus on the behaviour (rather than the person) and suggest actions that might help.
Edits: We may contact you suggesting edits to your provider review so it harmonizes with the guidelines. Also, below are a list of other peer-based sources of information on providers. These channels have fewer rules on what content to include and could be an additional option for getting your experience and perspective out to peers.
Some Examples
Reason for Visit and General Summary
“I went to see Dr. X because my GP is not comfortable with doing hormone starts. I got my first shot on Thursday! Feeling great.”
"I went to Dr. Z for top surgery 3 weeks ago. My surgery went smoothly and recovery was easier than I expected. He does follow up every few weeks following the surgery to make sure you are recovering OK. I haven't had any complications and am back at work. More details below."
"Dr. ZZZ is my GP. I think I am her only trans patient. I don't think she will have time to do a bunch of training and research on trans health. However, if you are one of her patients I can attest that she is definitely trans positive and will be receptive to preferred pronouns and affirming language if you give her some guidance. So don't be afraid to come out to her. She was my major cheerleader when I got top surgery. She was thrilled for me."
Respect and Safety
“Dr. X really prioritizes patient safety. Because he wants to be sure he is following best practices, sometimes I feel like my transition is moving slowly. My positive suggestion would be to find a way to balance safety with self-determination.
Communication
“I think Dr. X is newly working with the trans community. She is very direct, which might be intimidating for quiet patients. However, her blunt questions are about getting the best information from you so she can provide you with quality care. She wants to learn and isn’t shy asking patients for their guidance."
"I was nervous and not sure what to expect during the consultation. I could barely remember our conversation in the office. I followed up by email because I had some more questions and Dr. ZYX answered within 2 days. He is great by email."
Confidentiality and Privacy
“The medical office that Dr. X works out of has very thin walls. I was actually able to hear the patient speaking in the room next to mine while I was waiting. I mention this as a heads up for patients who are concerned about privacy. Dr. X also works at the ABC centre, which is probably a better location if privacy is a priority for you. I have no concerns about confidentiality with Dr. X. She is the best."
Support Staff
“The administrative assistant is really busy and uses my old name quite frequently. I would really like it if staff took extra efforts to use the correct name. Also, one staff person told me that I should not change the gender marker on my health card because she won’t be able to bill OHIP if I do. I have confirmed that this is not true, and so my suggestion is that future patients are not given this same advice. A positive point about the staff is that they are really efficient and warm-hearted."
Sensitivity to Trans Identity and Experiences
“I found Dr. X and staff to be very committed to creating a trans-positive environment. I say this because I was referred to as “he” even though I don’t generally pass as male in public. However, I wasn’t explicitly asked about my preferred pronouns. My positive suggestion would be for staff to ask my preferred pronoun in the future so I could let them know I go by “they/them.” I didn’t want to discourage their efforts so I didn’t correct anyone…but I am non-binary and it would have felt really good to have this acknowledged."
“It is quite well known that Dr. X doesn’t believe in gender fluidity. This made my appointment emotionally difficult for me. He asked me to tell him my story but at the time I went in I didn’t know that he only provides referrals if you strongly identify as the opposite gender from what you were assigned at birth. Because WPATH recognizes gender fluidity I didn’t think it would be a problem. However, I didn’t get my referral and am not sure what to do. Anyone know what my options might be? I would very much like it if Dr. X aligned assessments with WPATH version 7.”
“I went to see Dr. X because my GP is not comfortable with doing hormone starts. I got my first shot on Thursday! Feeling great.”
"I went to Dr. Z for top surgery 3 weeks ago. My surgery went smoothly and recovery was easier than I expected. He does follow up every few weeks following the surgery to make sure you are recovering OK. I haven't had any complications and am back at work. More details below."
"Dr. ZZZ is my GP. I think I am her only trans patient. I don't think she will have time to do a bunch of training and research on trans health. However, if you are one of her patients I can attest that she is definitely trans positive and will be receptive to preferred pronouns and affirming language if you give her some guidance. So don't be afraid to come out to her. She was my major cheerleader when I got top surgery. She was thrilled for me."
Respect and Safety
“Dr. X really prioritizes patient safety. Because he wants to be sure he is following best practices, sometimes I feel like my transition is moving slowly. My positive suggestion would be to find a way to balance safety with self-determination.
Communication
“I think Dr. X is newly working with the trans community. She is very direct, which might be intimidating for quiet patients. However, her blunt questions are about getting the best information from you so she can provide you with quality care. She wants to learn and isn’t shy asking patients for their guidance."
"I was nervous and not sure what to expect during the consultation. I could barely remember our conversation in the office. I followed up by email because I had some more questions and Dr. ZYX answered within 2 days. He is great by email."
Confidentiality and Privacy
“The medical office that Dr. X works out of has very thin walls. I was actually able to hear the patient speaking in the room next to mine while I was waiting. I mention this as a heads up for patients who are concerned about privacy. Dr. X also works at the ABC centre, which is probably a better location if privacy is a priority for you. I have no concerns about confidentiality with Dr. X. She is the best."
Support Staff
“The administrative assistant is really busy and uses my old name quite frequently. I would really like it if staff took extra efforts to use the correct name. Also, one staff person told me that I should not change the gender marker on my health card because she won’t be able to bill OHIP if I do. I have confirmed that this is not true, and so my suggestion is that future patients are not given this same advice. A positive point about the staff is that they are really efficient and warm-hearted."
Sensitivity to Trans Identity and Experiences
“I found Dr. X and staff to be very committed to creating a trans-positive environment. I say this because I was referred to as “he” even though I don’t generally pass as male in public. However, I wasn’t explicitly asked about my preferred pronouns. My positive suggestion would be for staff to ask my preferred pronoun in the future so I could let them know I go by “they/them.” I didn’t want to discourage their efforts so I didn’t correct anyone…but I am non-binary and it would have felt really good to have this acknowledged."
“It is quite well known that Dr. X doesn’t believe in gender fluidity. This made my appointment emotionally difficult for me. He asked me to tell him my story but at the time I went in I didn’t know that he only provides referrals if you strongly identify as the opposite gender from what you were assigned at birth. Because WPATH recognizes gender fluidity I didn’t think it would be a problem. However, I didn’t get my referral and am not sure what to do. Anyone know what my options might be? I would very much like it if Dr. X aligned assessments with WPATH version 7.”
Other sources for peer-based information on providers
FTM Canada (Facebook group)
Ratemds.com
Ratemds.com
