A Survey of LGBTQIA+ Experiences in the Field of Occupational Therapy for WFOT 2018

Invitation and Informed Consent

You are invited to participate in a research study exploring the unique experiences of LGBTQIA+ identified clinicians in the field of Occupational Therapy.

The information gathered will be integrated into the presentation “The Lonely Voice: A call for LGBTQIA+ identity integration, inclusivity and advocacy to diversify the workforce within the OT profession,” which will be presented at World Federation Occupational Therapy conference. Our goal is for this preliminary exploration to serve as a stepping stone toward demonstrating a need for improved education and advocacy of LGBTQIA+ issues in the Occupational Therapy profession. The ﬁndings will contribute to the body of knowledge on LGBTQIA+ concerns as they relate to the field of OT, and provide valuable information on tools, procedures, and approaches that are currently being used to promote diversity and inclusion in the field.

The survey should take approximately 10 minutes and your responses are completely anonymous. You may take the survey only once, and it will be open until March 1, 2018.

We greatly appreciate your input.

Informed Consent

Please read the following consent form before agreeing to participate in this study.

Background Information:

This study aims to gather information on the lived experiences of occupational practitioners and occupational therapy students in the United States. The ﬁndings will contribute to the body of knowledge on LGBTQIA+ concerns as they relate to the field of Occupational Therapy, and provide valuable information on tools, procedures, and approaches that are currently being used to promote diversity and inclusion in the field. Ideally, this information will prove valuable to current practitioners, healthcare managers, and higher education institutions in their implementation of diversity and inclusion practices.

Procedures:

If you agree to be part of this study, you will complete the subsequent survey consisting of questions regarding your experience as an LGBTQIA+ student, faculty member, or clinician. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Voluntary Nature of the Study:

Participation in this study is completely voluntary in nature. It is your decision whether or not you choose to complete the survey. You are also free to withdraw from the study by closing out of the window at any time. Furthermore, while answering all questions is encouraged, you may skip any question you prefer not to answer at any time.

Risks and Beneﬁts of Being in the Study:

There are no signiﬁcant physical, emotional, social, ﬁnancial, or legal risks associated with participation in this study. A minor risk will be the loss of time it takes to complete the survey and the beneﬁts will be knowing you are contributing to the profession’s limited but growing body of knowledge on LGBTQIA+ concerns.

Compensation:

There will not be any form of compensation if you chose to participate in the study.

Conﬁdentiality:

You will not be asked to provide your name or any other personal identifying information when completing this survey. All responses will be kept conﬁdential through SurveyMonkey.com. All data will be stored in password protected documents on locked electronic devices accessible to only the investigators.

Contacts:

The primary investigators for this research project are Erin Connor, Associate Professor at Quinsigamond Community College, who can be contacted via email at econnor@qcc.mass.edu; Siobhan McGuire, a clinical occupational therapy practitioner, who can be contacted via email at simcguir@iupui.edu; and Nuriya Neumann, an occupational therapy student at Thomas Jefferson University, who can be contacted via email at nrn003@jefferson.edu. Stacey Kadish is the IRB Director at Quinsigamond Community College and can be contacted via email at skadish@qcc.mass.edu.

If you have no further questions and would like to participate in the study please indicate your consent below.

Question Title

* 1. Statement of Consent:

I have read the above information. I have been given the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers. I consent to be a participant in this study. I understand that I can withdraw from participation in this study at any point without consequence.

Yes, I consent

No, thank you

Question Title

* 2. My current status in the field of Occupational Therapy is:

Student

Professor/Faculty

Clinician

Question Title

* 1. Statement of Consent:I have read the above information. I have been given the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers. I consent to be a participant in this study. I understand that I can withdraw from participation in this study at any point without consequence.

Question Title

* 2. My current status in the field of Occupational Therapy is:

* 1. Statement of Consent:

I have read the above information. I have been given the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers. I consent to be a participant in this study. I understand that I can withdraw from participation in this study at any point without consequence.