Background and objectives In Canada, Héma‐Québec is considering the possibility of allowing men who have sex with men (MSM) to donate plasma for fractionation combined with a mandatory quarantine period. This study aims to assess the acceptability and operational feasibility of the programme in the targeted population. Materials and methods Seven focus groups with MSM (N = 47) were conducted in Montréal, regarding their beliefs underlying attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control relating to intention to participate in a programme of plasma donation for fractionation. A theoretical thematic content analysis was realized. Results Participants brought up benefits of the programme. Some are altruistic (help others, save lives, contribute as citizens), while others are linked to what it could bring to their community (progress, opportunity to include MSM in blood donation programmes, acknowledgement of MSM's contributions to the well‐being of others). However, even if the programme is in accordance with their altruistic values, it clashes with their values of equality and social justice. Many disadvantages were raised (discrimination and stigmatization of MSM, the fact that their blood is presented as being not as good as the blood of others). Facilitating factors and barriers to participation were put forward in terms of programme characteristics and sites where donations would be made. Conclusion The findings suggest some interest in the programme of plasma donation for fractionation, but this is significantly tempered by the fact that differential treatment for MSM would continue and that their demands regarding access to whole blood donation are still unmet.

ConclusionOur analyses show that intention to donate plasma within the proposed programme is associated with personal, social and structural factors, but more strongly predicted by factors related to the theory of planned behaviour. Our results also highlight the importance of involving MSM; community acceptability of the plasma donation programme would probably be higher if MSM felt respected and party to the decisions.

Les hommes d’origine afro-caribéenne qui ont des relations sexuelles avec d’autres hommes (HARSAH noirs) doivent composer avec une multitude de défis propres à leur position sociale. Utilisant l’intersectionnalité comme approche théorique et comme méthodologie, nous avons documenté lors d’une phase quantitative (n=32) que les participants ont grandement fait l’objet de racisme sexuel et doivent composer avec une certaine homonégativité à même leur communauté ethnoculturelle. Nous avons ensuite exploré qualitativement (n=12) leurs réactions face au racisme sexuel, les défis propres à leur position intersectionnelle, leurs positionnements face aux stéréotypes ethnosexuels et les mécanismes de résilience déployés pour faire face à l’adversité.

Background and Objectives: Several blood services might eventually interview donors with gender-neutral questions on sexual behaviors to improve the inclusivity of blood donation. We tested two ways (i.e., "scenarios") of asking donors about their recent sexual behaviors. Materials and Methods:The study comprised 126 regular source plasma donors and 102 gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM), including 73 cis-gbMSM (i.e., the "cis-gbMSM subgroup," which excluded nonbinary, genderqueer, and trans individuals). In Scenario 1, participants were asked if, in the last 3 months, they "have […] had a new sexual partner or more than one sexual partner." In Scenario 2, they were asked "Have you had a new sexual partner?" and "have you had more than one sexual partner?". Validation questions included more specific questions on the type of partners and sexual activity. Results: Among plasma donors, sensitivity was 100.0% for both scenarios; specificity was 100.0% and 99.1% for Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. Among gbMSM, sensitivity was 74.5% and 82.9% for Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively; specificity was 100.0% for both scenarios. Among cis-gbMSM, sensitivity was 88.6% and 100.0% for Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively; specificity was 100.0% for both scenarios. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of Scenario 2 was significantly higher than that of Scenario 1 among gbMSM and in the cis-gbMSM subgroup (all p < .05). Conclusion:Scenario 2 questions performed well among plasma donors and cis-gbMSM, but less so in the broader gbMSM population.blood safety, donors, men who have sex with men, transfusion-transmissible infections, transfusion medicine Abbreviations: AUC, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve; CIs, confidence intervals; gbMSM, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; MSM, men who have sex with men.

Purpose The COVID‐19 pandemic has created extensive disruptions for medical education, causing urgency to implement and develop solutions to combat this disturbance. For students to pursue learning opportunities, the education system must improve. Augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) provide a promising future for the enhancement of medical education. This review article aims to evaluate the benefits and efficacy of AR and VR, especially during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods Multiple peer‐reviewed, randomized trials were synthesized into a review study investigating the efficacy, benefit, and use of VR and AR for medical education. The reviewed studies included medical and graduate‐level students as participants and aimed to support the use of AR and VR as an educational adjunct. The results of these trials support the use of additional technology in medical education. Results The COVID‐19 pandemic propelled medical schools, educators, and students into a world of total computerized learning. This pandemic acted as a necessary push to implement novel, untested technologies into the educational sector. Previous research demonstrates that AR and VR can confront these unfamiliar challenges and allow for a safe and beneficial COVID‐19 education, consisting of socially‐distanced and low‐risk patient‐care practice. Conclusions The benefits of continuous, safe learning outweigh the potential technological challenges of implementing AR and VR into medical education. During the pandemic, the medical community is faced with teaching students many skills necessary to become adept medical practitioners. Although the COVID‐19 pandemic offers a unique opportunity for the implementation of new technologies, virtual instruction does not have to end beyond this crisis. Virtual technology can teach medical students interpersonal skills such as empathy, engaging in difficult conversations, and delivering bad news. Because students have traditionally been exposed to passive teaching styles, it is time to look toward expanding medical students’ repertoire and allow them to personalize their education.