The role of occupational therapy serving LGBTQIA+ people: Retrospective perceptions of an occupational therapist

Abstract

Introduction and aim: LGBTQIA+ people constitute a minority group that navigate their occupational engagement within a historically entrenched system of oppression. This opinion piece addresses a subject matter that is increasingly garnering attention from the  international health science community, yet it remains insufficiently explored in South African occupational therapy dialogues. The aim of  this paper is to stimulate critical reflection among occupational therapists on the discourses that underpin our daily practice. By utilising  the person-environment-occupation model, we seek to demonstrate the unique and essential role of occupational therapy in serving  LGBTQIA+ people within the South African context.

Conclusion: Although occupational therapists are trained to consider all aspects of a  person, discussions around gender are rarely emphasised in undergraduate training or clinical practice. This opinion piece demonstrates  the roles that occupational therapists may play when working with LGBTQIA+ people to provide services that are holistic and relevant to  their needs and contexts. Recognizing the impact of everyday occupational therapy practices on LGBTQIA+ individuals is crucial, requiring  a commitment to inclusivity and continuous reflection within the field of occupational therapy.