Lived Experiences of Filipino Male Occupational Therapy Students

The historical dominance of women working in occupational therapy, coupled with the underrepresentation of males in the field globally, creates a need to investigate the experiences of male students in occupational therapy programs. In the context of the Philippines, where women make up 74.72% of the occupational therapy workforce, this study aims to address the following scaffolding problem by exploring the experiences and motivations of male students in Philippine occupational therapy programs. This study seeks to shed light on the factors influencing their educational journey and contribute to a better understanding of gender dynamics within the field. A qualitative design was used. Nine male occupational therapy students from various universities across the Philippines completed a survey questionnaire developed by the authors and attended a focus group discussion. Qualitative data was recorded and analyzed using thematic analysis. Upon analysis, five themes emerged: (1) Means and Not the End, (2) Rapport and Communication, (3) Society and Stereotyping, (4) Introspection of Male Students, and (5) Furtherance of Gender Inclusivity. The findings suggest that there are roles and expectations specific to male occupational therapy students within the Philippines, which may differ to some extent from those of their female counterparts. The participants experienced particular challenges and opportunities due to their gender. These results may be used to understand the existing gender disparity still present in different occupational therapy workforces