What's Next for Modernizing Gender, Sex, and Sexual Orientation Terminology in Digital Health Systems? Viewpoint on Research and Implementation Priorities

In 2021, Canada Health Infoway and the University of Victoria's Gender, Sex, and Sexual Orientation Research Team hosted a series of discussions to successfully and safely modernize gender, sex, and sexual orientation information practices within digital health systems. Five main topic areas were covered: (1) terminology standards; (2) digital health and electronic health record functions; (3) policy and practice implications; (4) primary care settings; and (5) acute and tertiary care settings. In this viewpoint paper, we provide priorities for future research and implementation projects and recommendations that emerged from these discussions.

Automated summary

In 2021, Canada Health Infoway and the University of Victoria's Gender, Sex, and Sexual Orientation Research Team organized discussions on modernizing gender, sex, and sexual orientation information practices in digital health systems. The discussions covered five main areas, including terminology standards, digital health and electronic health record functions, policy and practice implications, primary care settings, and acute and tertiary care settings. This viewpoint paper presents priorities for future research and implementation projects, as well as recommendations arising from these discussions.