Date Presented 03/27/20
The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of OT master’s programs in producing well-rounded therapists who will treat transgender individuals with respect and clinical competence. We compared the perceptions of program directors regarding the effectiveness of their curricula to prepare their students to effectively treat transgender individuals with the perceptions of individuals within the community regarding their own experiences with healthcare providers.
Primary Author and Speaker: Gisela Jorge
Additional Authors and Speakers: Jose Raez, Adalys Suarez, Martha Gomez
Contributing Authors: Amy Ward
PURPOSE: It is becoming increasingly evident that there is a scarcity of healthcare practitioners who are trans positive and able to treat transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals with compassion, respect, and clinical competence. Research has shown that this is often due to healthcare professionals that lack TGNC clinical competency (Puckett, 2018). Moreover, most healthcare professionals receive little to no education relating to transgender health. As a result, healthcare professionals do not feel like they can administer gender appropriate care (Coren et al, 2011). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether there is a need for ACOTE accredited occupational therapy programs to add more transgender-related content to their curriculum.
METHODS: Through the use of qualitative research (i.e. semi-structured interviews, online surveys) data was collected to assess the perceptions of transgender individuals in regard to the preparation of healthcare professionals generally, and occupational therapists specifically, to competently address their healthcare needs. Additionally, we also assessed whether ACOTE accredited occupational therapy university program directors perceive that their current academic content sufficiently exposes, educates, and prepares students to meet the needs of individuals within the TGNC community. Participants for interviews were recruited using online flyers and word of mouth. To be able to participate in the semi-structured interview, participants must identify as transgender, gender nonconforming, or recognize a dissonance between the gender they were assigned at birth and their current gender identity. Participants for the online survey were recruited through electronic mail. A list-serve containing 150 emails of chairs, directors, or heads of ACOTE accredited occupational therapy masters programs in the United States was created. To be able to participate in the online survey, participants must be the chair, director, or head of an accredited occupational therapy master’s program in the United States.
RESULTS: Our findings suggest that while most occupational therapy program directors felt their program somewhat prepared their students to meet the needs of transgender and gender non-conforming clients, individuals in the TGNC community feel they are not well served by healthcare providers. However, our TGNC participants addressed an overall need for more trans-positive healthcare, and for healthcare providers to be more knowledgeable and respectful. Because there is very limited research in the arena of transgender care within the field of occupational therapy, our study contributes to raising awareness of the disconnect between the needs of the TGNC community, and the ability of entry level occupational therapists to meet those needs by delivering gender appropriate care.
CONCLUSION: Our findings suggests a need for a culturally responsive curriculum that can be incorporated in occupational therapy programs to ensure that future occupational therapist have the necessary knowledge and understanding to address the healthcare needs of this community.
References
Puckett, J. A., Cleary, P., Rossman, K., Mustanski, B. S., & Newcomb, M. (2018). Barriers to Gender-Affirming Care for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Individuals. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 15(1), 48-59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-017-0295-8
Coren, J. S., Coren, C. M., Pagliaro, S. N., & Weiss, L. B. (2011). Assessing your office for care of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender patients. Health Care Manager, 30, 66–70. DOI: 10.1097/HCM.0b013e3182078bcd
