Occupational therapists' perceptions of gender - a focus group study

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Health Sciences
• Occupational Therapy

Background:

• The gender system shapes individuals through culture, society, and interaction.
• Occupational therapy literature discusses cultural influences on social roles but lacks a gender perspective.
• Understanding the concept of gender is crucial in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore occupational therapists' perceptions of the concept of 'gender'.
• To investigate how occupational therapists approach client encounters considering gender.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving four focus group interviews with 17 occupational therapists.
• Analysis of transcribed interviews to identify emerging themes.
• Exploration of therapists' reflections on client encounters based on gender.

Main Results:

• Occupational therapists demonstrated limited theoretical knowledge of gender concepts.
• Therapists appeared to 'do gender' during client encounters.
• Assessment questions differed based on client gender (e.g., household for women, paid work for men).

Conclusions:

• Occupational therapists are often unaware of 'doing gender' in practice.
• There is a need to enhance therapists' awareness of gendered behaviors.
• Further research should examine the impact of gendered perceptions on rehabilitation outcomes.