Is sexual expression and Irish occupational therapy curriculum blind spot? The occupational therapy student perspective

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) validates sexual expression as a legitimate intervention activity by including it in its activities of daily living (ADL) list in the Uniform Terminology for Occupational Therapy. Sexual expression is frequently affected by disability, but seems to be infrequently addressed by practicing occupational therapists (Friedman et al 1997; Couldrick 2005). The literature indicates that occupational therapists omit sexual expression from their treatment process due to lack of training and comfort in addressing client’s sexual expression. (Couldrick 1998 & 2005, Evans 2000) The aim of this research was to determine Irish occupational therapy students’ opinion in relation to sexual expression and their perception of whether their educational curriculum addressed it. Method: A questionnaire survey was completed by 33 final year students enrolled in Irish occupational therapy courses. Responses to survey questions were analyzed using SPSS 19.0. Qualitative data obtained from open-ended questions was analyzed using thematic coding. Results: The barriers to sexual expression intervention identified in the study were similar to previous studies exploring this area. The respondents felt uncomfortable and educationally unprepared to address sexual expression. While 90.9% of the respondents felt it was within the OT role to address sexual expression the majority 97% (N=32) felt that their course did not prepare them. A need for appropriate training in relation to sexual expression was identified.