Occupational Therapy Students' Choice of Client Activities: Does Patients' Gender Matter?

Abstract

Aim: In order to achieve a fairer system of health care, it is important that the research and education of health professionals, as well as the organisation of health care, takes into account the gender perspective. The gender order influences women's and men's lifestyles and living conditions and, through this, their health, quality of life and daily activities. The aim of the present study was to explore the perceptions of gender in occupational therapy students in their choice of activities: do students choose activities according to traditional roles?Method: The method was a fictional case study containing 16 activities. Each student was given a copy of one of the versions of the case, Eric or Erica. The students were told to underline the three activities regarded as being of most benefit for the actual patient. Eight male and 99 female students participated.Results: The most chosen activities were cooking, visits to cafeterias and gardening, and the least chosen were spinning, laundry and computer work. The results showed that the students made choices based on traditional gender roles.Conclusion: Extended knowledge is needed about how gender is constructed in occupational therapy, and about whether gendered choices contribute to a prolonged period of treatment or rehabilitation, or the opposite.

Struggling with everyday life after mild stroke with cognitive impairments – The experiences of working age women

“…The results reflect the experiences of women living with cognitive limitations after a milder form of stroke, even if the study was limited and the study group was relatively homogeneous in terms of age. Furthermore, in the encounter with the client, there is a need for professionals to be aware of how their own values, thoughts and previous experiences can influence the outcomes with the clients if gendered perceptions are not identified, as has been shown in studies on occupational therapists as well as occupational therapy students (Liedberg and Hensing, 2011; Liedberg et al., 2010).…”

Expectations of choice: an exploration of how social context informs gendered occupation

“…This is particular relevant in relation to the expectations we may be creating within our own practice as therapists and how we ascribe gender traditional roles when designing interventions (Liedberg et al, 2010;Liedberg and Gunnel, 2011). We should also aim to try and promote groups that are "gender neutral" and do not differentiate between boys and girls so as not to contribute to social constructions and expectations which can limit choice.…”

“…This has since been integrated into Occupational Therapy literature (Goodman et al, 2007;Liedberg and Gunnel, 2011). Two studies exploring and examining the idea of "doing gender" found that occupational therapists and occupational therapy students were focusing on gender traditional roles when setting goals and interventions (Liedberg et al, 2010;Liedberg and Gunnel, 2011).…”