Inappropriate patient sexual behaviour in physiotherapy practice: a qualitative analysis of questionnaire comments

It has been reported that over 80% of physiotherapists and physiotherapy students have experienced inappropriate patient sexual behaviour (IPSB). This paper reports the results of a qualitative analysis of written comments respondents made to four open-ended questions that were part of a survey on IPSB. Quantitative analyses of the responses to the remainder of the questions have been reported previously. The objectives of this study were to determine the content required for educational programs and to explore the strategies and suggestions respondents have made relevant to IPSB. A questionnaire was sent to 118 physiotherapists and 87 physiotherapy students. Completed questionnaires were returned by over 70% in each group. The questions asking for comments on how respondents have learned to deal with IPSB and what information about IPSB is important for in-service and undergraduate education were coded into themes to characterize the responses. Respondents described their experiences with IPSB, identified the knowledge areas that they consider to be important, emphasized the importance of prevention, getting and giving support, the specific ways that they have learned to cope, and the skills to handle IPSB. This emphasized the importance of a comprehensive educational strategy to respond to IPSB.