EXPERIENCES OF STUDENT AND PRACTICING PHYSICAL-THERAPISTS WITH INAPPROPRIATE PATIENT SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR

Background and Purpose. The objectives of this study were (1) to descr ibe the extent to which practicing physical therapists and physical th erapy students have reported experiencing inappropriate patient sexual behavior (IPSB), (2) to document the consequences of IPSB, and (3) to identify the strategies the subjects have used to manage IPSB. Subjec ts and Methods. A survey questionnaire was sent to 118 physical therap ists and 87 physical therapy students. Completed questionnaires were r eturned by 74.1% of the subjects (over 70% in each group). Results. Th e majority of respondents (80 9%) reported having encountered some lev el of IPSB. Although almost half of the physical therapists and one th ird of the third-and fourth-year students reported experiencing severe IPSB, including forceful sexual touching and deliberate sexual exposu re, only 20% of the respondents perceived that they bad been ''sexuall y harassed '' Most of the respondents were satisfied with the way in w hich they handled the IPSB, however, almost 90% considered that in-ser vice and undergraduate education would be desirable. Conclusion and Di scussion. It is concluded that this problem should be addressed by fur ther study with a broader sample and by inclusion of these issues in e ducation programs for students and physical therapists.