An Exploratory Review of the Prevalence of Sexual Health and Wellbeing Content in Qualifying Australian Occupational Therapy Programs and Standards

Objectives Sexual health and wellbeing (SHW) is universally recognized as a fundamental aspect of overall health. Despite the holistic scope of occupational therapy, which encompasses the recognition of sexual and intimate activities as legitimate occupations or activities of daily living, SHW remains insufficiently addressed within occupational therapy education and practice in Australia. Occupational therapists lack confidence in addressing SHW-related concerns and often do not initiate conversation around this topic. This study investigates the prevalence of SHW content in accredited occupational therapy programs, and the professional and educational competency standards.Methods A qualitative descriptive content analysis was conducted using publicly available data from university websites and documents outlining the occupational therapy practice competency standards and capability frameworks. SHW-related content was identified through keyword searches.Results Of the 874 subjects across 26 occupational therapy programs, 24 subjects from 14 universities explicitly referenced SHW. Content was largely biomedical or sociocultural in nature, with a limited focus on SHW as an activity of daily living or occupation. Sexual health and wellbeing content was absent from competency standards and educational accreditation standards, but were partially addressed in Occupational Therapy Australia’s capability frameworks for aged care, pediatrics, pain, and mental health.Conclusion There is a gap between the recognized importance of SHW in holistic occupational therapy practice and its representation in Australian occupational therapy curricula and competencies. The limited integration of SHW in education and professional standards could contribute to occupational therapy practitioners’ discomfort and lack of preparedness in addressing this area. Systematic curriculum reviews and inclusion of SHW in national occupational therapy standards are essential to support the profession’s ability to deliver comprehensive, client-centred care and address SHW. Further research focused on the relationship between the lack of SHW curriculum and level of confidence for occupational therapy practitioners to address SHW-related issues is required.