1 research outputs found
Occupational therapy gender imbalance; revisiting a lingering issue
Background: Recently, it has been suggested that gender disparity in Occupational Therapy has to do with segregated gendered job norms that position female dominated professions as a âstep downâ for many males. Interestingly, this suggestion was not underpinned by experiences of males in the profession.
Aims and Methods: Â Thirteen male Occupational Therapists with a variety of backgrounds were invited to this Round Table research, focussing on the broader issue of the existing gender imbalance in Occupational Therapy.
Results: Â Two themes emerged: âThe core values of the professionâ, and âBroadening the scope of the professionâ; none of them suggesting that male/female imbalance was necessarily the most pressing issue.
Conclusions: Â A gender-unrelated approach to everyday problem-solving was put forward to achieve increased diversity in Occupational Therapistsâ backgrounds, better reflecting the people they serve. By broadening the scope and the way the profession is presented, and encouraging innovative and more entrepreneurially driven approaches, diversity in the workforce could be further facilitated. These findings are discussed within the context of âThe mutual constitution of cultures and selvesâ model.
Significance: Â Diversity in the Occupational therapy workforce could be further facilitated with a shift in focus away from the male/female perspective to an intersectional approach.</p