Date of Graduation

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

OTD

College

School of Medicine

Department

Occupational Therapy

Committee Chair

Kayleigh Nolan, PhD

Committee Co-Chair

Heather Livengood, PhD

Committee Member

Jacob Greenfield, OTD

Abstract

Sexual health is a fundamental aspect of well-being and quality of life and impacts everyone regardless of age, gender, or sexual orientation, and is relevant throughout an individual’s lifespan. Occupational therapists have a valuable role in addressing sex concepts with patients; however, a lack of education and comfort level have been identified as barriers to practitioners addressing the concepts in clinical practice. This Doctoral Capstone Experience aims to answer how the topic of sexual health can be integrated into a lifespan curriculum in formal occupational therapy education. A sexual health curriculum was created and integrated into seven different classes that were already a part of West Virginia University’s occupational therapy curriculum. The mixed methods approach consisted of an online focus group and a pre- and post-discussion survey with both Likert scales and open-ended questions. The focus group was completed by 6 respondents, and the survey was completed by 31. Findings from the focus group indicated that former West Virginia University occupational therapy alumni did not feel their formal education adequately prepared them to address sex concepts with patients. Results from the survey indicated that the discussion on dark occupations led them to become more open-minded and comfortable with patients participating in dark occupations. With a comprehensive sexual health curriculum built into their formal education and guided by the OTSAF, students can increase their knowledge and comfort level on the topic and ultimately be prepared to address it with patients.

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