Document Type

Scholarship Project

Publication Date

Spring 5-24-2024

College/Unit

School of Medicine

Department/Program/Center

Occupational Therapy

Abstract

In the United States, a cerebral vascular accident (CVA) is a leading cause of death and a significant contributor to severe disabilities for adults (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022a). Two areas of post-stroke deficits and changes that are not frequently addressed in treatments are sexual activity dysfunctions and challenges with intimacy after stroke. Occupational therapy practitioners have the education, training, and practice areas within our framework to address issues relating to sexuality and provide education on the matter. Sexuality should be addressed, like all other activities of daily living, thorough and assiduous. This study was a cross-sectional design of practicing occupational therapy practitioners. An electronic survey created by Kate Eglseder, Sheridan Webb, and Miranda Rennie from Towson University was adapted and utilized to assess occupational therapy practitioners' attitudes and beliefs regarding sexuality and intimacy (Eglseder, 2018). Qualitrics was used to design and distribute the survey. Any occupational therapy practitioner was able to take the survey. SPSS was used to analyze the data. A total of 46 occupational therapy practitioners consented and completed the survey. The two most common practice settings were acute care (22.45%), followed by a tie between skilled nursing facilities and pediatrics (16.33%). Out of the completed surveys, 45.45% of respondents reported that their clients had asked them questions regarding sexuality and sexual functioning in their clinical practice. When asked if it is within occupational therapy's scope of practice to address sexuality and sexual functioning, 0 respondents answered "no", 93.55% of respondents answered "yes", and 6.45% of respondents answered "maybe. The current research shows that practitioners are not commonly addressing these issues, although many believe that it should be addressed mainly by occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals.

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