Occupational therapy gender imbalance; revisiting a lingering issue

Area of Science:

• Occupational Therapy
• Workforce Diversity
• Sociology of Professions

Background:

• Gender disparity in Occupational Therapy (OT) is often attributed to gendered job norms, but this lacks empirical support from male practitioners.
• Previous suggestions about male practitioners viewing OT as a 'step down' are not substantiated by their experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of male Occupational Therapists regarding the gender imbalance in the profession.
• To identify factors contributing to or mitigating gender disparity in OT.

Main Methods:

• A Round Table research approach was used.
• Thirteen male Occupational Therapists with diverse backgrounds participated.

Main Results:

• Two primary themes emerged: 'The core values of the profession' and 'Broadening the scope of the profession'.
• Neither theme indicated that the male/female imbalance was the most critical issue facing the profession.

Conclusions:

• A gender-unrelated, intersectional approach to problem-solving can increase diversity in OT.
• Broadening the profession's scope and presentation, alongside encouraging entrepreneurial approaches, can facilitate workforce diversity.
• Shifting focus from a male/female perspective to an intersectional one is key for diversity in the OT workforce.