This week AbleOTUK are hosting here is what they had to say………….
AbleOTUK founding members have chosen the theme of sex and sexual health to focus on throughout 2023, we thought it might be interesting to explore how comfortable we are talking about sex, and what better day to do this than valentines day.
Firstly let’s be clear with some definations
Sexuality is partly made up of and sometimes used interchangeably with sexual orientation. However, it covers more than just who a person is attracted to. Sexuality is an occupation that embodies the psychological and physical well-being of people that is relevant throughout a lifespan. It refers to someone’s to experience or express sexual feelings, their attitudes and activities relating to sex, including someone’s sexual behaviour, attractions, likes, dislikes and preferences. Sexuality can be understood as sexual expression, sexual activity, sexual decisions for example abstinence, sexual communication skills, and understanding one’s sexual self-concept.
Sex is an activity of daily living that plays an important part in an individual’s life. It is defined by a act means any sexual contact, actual or simulated, by penetration of the penis into the vagina or anus, or by contact between the mouth or tongue and genitals or anus, or by contact between a finger of one person and the genitalia of another person or by use of artificial sexual organs or substituted in contact with the genitals or anus .
Sexuality and participation in sex are areas of practice that are often not addressed with UK occupational therapy. However arguably occupational therapists are particularly qualified to address and treat concerns of sexuality and participation in sex. There is a small evidence base but more research, better assessment tools and intervention development is needed to show the benefits of utilising occupational therapy in this area.
A person’s ability to address their sexuality will be impacted by common reasons a person comes into contact with occupational therapy services. A person’s mental and physical health, illnesses or disability can impact an individual’s quality of life and their motivation and or abilities to participate in sex.
Tonight we want to start a conversation about sex as an occupation, and begin to explore reasons why it’s important we ensure it’s addressed where appropriate. .
Questions for the chat
Question 1: Why might we want to access sexuality in our occupational therapy practice?
Question 2: How do we begin integrating the topic of sexuality into our practice?
Question 3: What is important to keep yourself safe when approaching the topic of sexuality in your practice?
Question 4: How do we write goals and plan interventions in regards to sexuality?
Ref
Haboubi, N. H. J., & Lincoln, N. (2003). Views of health professionals on discussing sexual issues with patients. Disability and Rehabilitation, 25(6), 291-296. https://doi.org/10.1080/0963828021000031188
MacRae, N. (2013). Sexuality and the role of occupational therapy. The American Occupational Therapy Association. https://www.aota.org/About-Occupational Therapy/Professionals/RDP/Sexuality.aspx.Esmail, S., Knox, H., & Scott, H. (2010). Sexuality and the role of the rehabilita- tion professional. International Encyclopedia of Rehabilitation. Retrieved fromhttp://cirrie.buffalo.edu/encyclopedia/en/article/29/
OTalk 