Inappropriate client sexual behaviour in occupational therapy

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence and nature of inappropriate client sexual behaviour (ICSB) in occupational therapy practice in

Sexual harassment of nurses and nursing students

“…When confronted with sexual harassment, most nurses and nursing students used passive coping strategies, mainly in the form of ignoring the behaviour or getting away from the perpetrator. Others have also found that ignoring the behaviour was also the chosen reaction of nurses (Libbus & Bowman 1994), occupational therapists (Schneider et al . 1999) and nursing and occupational therapy students (Kettl et al .…”

“…1998). Reports from Australia have also demonstrated inappropriate sexual behaviour in the practice of occupational therapy (Schneider et al . 1999) and physiotherapy (O'Sullivan & Weerakoon 1999).…”

“…Most publications refer to sexual harassment as a major workplace problem that causes humiliation and embarrassment and damages health care workers' performance (Duldt 1982, Tangri et al 1982, Grieco 1987, Heinrich 1987, Horsley 1990, Dowell 1992, Finnis & Robbins 1992, Ussher 1992, Zuffoletto 1992, Goodner & Kolenich 1993, Nora et al 1993, Libbus & Bowman 1994, Mrkwicka 1994, Bronner 1995, Kinard et al 1995, Robbins et al 1997, Davidhizar et al 1998, Frank et al 1998, Schneider et al 1999, Stein 1999, Duncan et al 2001, Hamlin & Hoffman 2002, Kisa et al 2002. A broad range of behaviours can be experienced by staff (Kaye et al 1994, Libbus & Bowman 1994, Knox 1995.…”

“…Harassment was found to be more common in medical schools (Frank et al 1998). Reports from Australia have also demonstrated inappropriate sexual behaviour in the practice of occupational therapy (Schneider et al 1999) and physiotherapy (O'Sullivan & Weerakoon 1999). Knox (1995) found that perpetrators were often doctors or administartors.…”

Survey of occupational therapy students' attitudes towards sexual issues in clinical practice

“…A number of researchers have reported that health professionals are not always comfortable when dealing with sexual issues that arise in client's care (Guthrie, 1999;Herson et al, 1999;Evans, 2000). In particular they may feel uneasy and unprepared to deal with these interactions (Hayter, 1996;Weerakoon and O'Sullivan, 1998;Couldrick, 1999, Guthrie, 1999O'Sullivan and Weerakoon, 1999;Schneider et al, 1999). For example, health professional students have been found to be uncomfortable when dealing with clients whose sexual orientation differs from their own (Eliason and Raheim, 2000) or with clients who have AIDS (e.g.…”