Sexual harassment poses a problem for therapists

Eighty-six percent of physical therapists reported experiencing some form of patient sexual behavior in the course of practice, according to a survey of members of the Alexandria, VA-based American Physical Therapy Association. Sixty-three percent of the respondents reported at least one incident of sexual harassment.

Results of the study were published in the September issue of Physical Therapy magazine.¹ Less than one-third of respondents reported receiving any training on how to handle sexual harassment.

Researchers concluded that training programs should address patient sexual behavior and sexual harassment.

^Reference

1. DeMayo R. Patient sexual behaviors and sexual harassment: A national survey of physical therapists. Phys Ther 1997; 77:739-744.