Meet Jodi Asphall, Rainbow Health Ontario’s Clinical Systems Navigator for Trans and Non-Binary Health

Many Ontario-based health care providers want to improve their ability to provide care for trans and non-binary communities, but may find few resources within the provincial healthcare system that support their capacity-building needs. It may also be challenging to ask peers for help, due to the lack of pervasive knowledge on best practices. This can impact health care access for trans and non-binary service users.

Rainbow Health Ontario’s Clinical Systems Navigator for trans and non-binary health, Jodi Asphall, manages the trans and non-binary health care inquiries we receive from health care providers. He also authors RHO-produced documents, such as a FAQ on transition-related hormone therapy.

Jodi shares his experiences in the role and why it’s important for clinicians to have a helping hand on their learning journeys.

What do you do at RHO?

Part of my role is to provide guidance to health care providers by supporting them in the enhancement of their clinical skills regarding trans and non-binary healthcare.

I also facilitate the Trans Health Mentorship Call as an additional free resource to health care practitioners. The call is a safe space to ask questions regarding gender-affirming care and a clinical mentor is there to answer questions. Our mentors are physicians, nurse practitioners or health care professionals who have at least five years of experience in trans health.

The call takes place on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Health care providers who are interested can register to join the call on our online learning platform LGBT2SQ Health Connect.

How does the clinical systems navigator for trans and non-binary health support providers in the health care and social service fields?

Within this role I provide support to providers in the health care and social services field through offering guided learning, resource sharing, and responding to the inquires they may have regarding gender-affirming care.

More specifically, this is done in consultation with our staff physician, Dr Amy Bourns, author of Sherbourne’s Guidelines for gender-affirming primary care with trans and non-binary patients.

When I provide clinical support to one provider, this provider in turn reduces the barriers to accessing gender-affirming care for many trans and non-binary people. We are committed to enhancing providers clinical skills, and demystifying gender-affirming care in primary care practice.

What aspects of your job do you find rewarding?

I believe all aspects of my role are rewarding, quite honestly.

As a person who is trans, I have had firsthand experience having to navigate the healthcare system in search for gender-affirming care. Knowing that I am on the flip side of things, providing support to medical providers to continue the community of practice of excellence for gender-affirming care is more rewarding on a personal level than I believe words can truly capture.

Knowing, and understanding the level of importance this work holds to enhance the wellness of trans and nonbinary folks, is something that I bring to my work everyday. It equips me to bring a lens that is both intentional and mindful.

Anything else you’d like to share?

We are not only committed to supporting individual providers, but to help healthcare and social services organizations to audit their policies and procedures as to provide excellent healthcare for all 2SLGBTQ people.

For clinical support, providers can connect with me over email at systemnavigation@rainbowheatlhontario.ca