A Protocol for Identifying Priorities for Women+ Health in the Maritime Provinces using a Priority Setting Partnership Approach

Background/Objectives: Women+ (e.g., women and individuals assigned female at birth) experience disproportionate health risks and persistent gaps in access to care, despite regionally coordinated health systems. Women+ health research remains significantly underfunded and understudied, contributing to inequities in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. This study aims to collaboratively identify and prioritize the most pressing unanswered research questions related to women+ health in the Maritime provinces of Canada. Methods: This study will use a modified Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) methodology based on the James Lind Alliance framework. A mixed-methods participatory approach will be used, including bilingual online surveys (French, English) and a one-day consensus workshop. Participants will include women+, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and the public residing in the Maritime provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island). An initial survey will collect research uncertainties through open-ended questions. A second interim survey will rank verified uncertainties, followed by a facilitated workshop to achieve consensus on the Top 10 research priorities. Qualitative data will be analyzed using content analysis, and descriptive statistics will summarize participant demographics. Anticipated Results: This project is expected to generate a collaboratively developed, evidence-informed Top 10 list of research priorities for women+ health in the Maritimes. The process will also identify thematic gaps in existing research and assess feasibility considerations to inform future study design and implementation. Conclusions: By centering women+ voices and engaging diverse interest holders, this study will establish a shared regional research agenda to guide future research, funding, and policy initiatives for women+ health research.