Development and Evaluation of Male Pelvic Health Website for Occupational Therapy Students and Practitioners
Orellana, Luis F.
Citations
Abstract
Importance: Current research has found a clear prevalence of PFDs among men, which negatively affects participation in meaningful daily activities. Previous research supported occupational therapy interventions to address PFDs and their symptoms. A needs assessment revealed that students and clinicians viewed pelvic health knowledge as limited to women’s health, with very little knowledge or interaction of male pelvic health content. Participants in the needs assessment stated that a readily available resource, such as a website, would best meet the needs of students and practicing occupational therapists. Objective: The study aimed to develop and assess an inclusive, evidence-based male pelvic health occupational therapy website and to evaluate its ability to increase knowledge and confidence, informed by the needs assessment and limited resource availability. Design: To assess the website's content and usability, the study used a mixed-methods approach to gather feedback and incorporate it into the analysis. Setting: Development and assessment of the educational website were conducted asynchronously, using various programs, including Google Sites, Canva, and Qualtrics. Participants: The study used convenience sampling through various occupational therapy networks, with the Student PI and Site mentor. To be eligible to participate in the study, individuals had to have internet access, be 18-89 years of age, and be either an occupational therapy student or a current occupational therapy practitioner in the United States. The sample comprised twenty-four occupational therapy students and fourteen practitioners, who reviewed the evidence-based, inclusive, and trauma-informed care male pelvic health website and provided feedback via a Qualtrics survey. Conclusion: The website was found to be highly useful and significantly increased participants' knowledge, as evidenced by pre- and post-retrospective survey scores. Based on these findings, the website could be utilized to increase knowledge of male Pelvic health among occupational therapy students and practitioners.
