The IWK Health Centre is launching a significant new study to better understand women's health across the Maritime provinces. This initiative follows a recent survey revealing a strong consensus among women in the region that substantial improvements are needed in healthcare.
The study aims to collect input from women and gender-diverse individuals, alongside their caregivers and healthcare providers. The primary objective is to understand their healthcare access experiences and to identify top health research priorities for future investigations.
Dr. Justine Dol, the lead researcher and IWK's Accelerate Chair in Women+ Health Research, emphasized the need to explore how gender impacts health concerns, noting that critical questions in women's health remain understudied. An earlier survey found that 56% of women report health issues impacting their daily lives, with many delaying or avoiding care.
This new study arrives amid discussions about healthcare barriers, including a recent case where a Nova Scotia breast cancer survivor faced challenges accessing surgery due to her BMI. This highlights systemic issues that the IWK study intends to address by incorporating diverse voices.
Annette Elliott Rose, VP of clinical performance for Nova Scotia Health, acknowledged the importance of such stories in driving necessary system changes and expressed commitment to collaborative efforts.
The study is open for approximately six weeks to participants aged 18 and older residing in the Maritime provinces.