Not sure if appropriate to ask, are male PT be less favorable when treating (opposite sex, youth)

[futureptme]

Sorry if the headline came off awkward, but this a question thats been bouncing around for a while and not sure how to address it (or if it should be ever be brought up, but I will try here).

My question is, is the fact I am male could it even ever be an issue when treating or rehabilitating females or youth, meaning would patients choose to avoid me working on them or their children because I am male?

How is this issue addressed when being taught to deal with patients?
How does one protect oneself from miscommunication or allegations?

I guess I am asking this because I read a silly story of a man who took a selfie with a cardboard cutout, a woman thought, he was talking photos of her children and blasted him on Facebook. Point being you dont ever get second chances once your name is tarnished and it only takes one allegation.

I am assuming a lot comes back to me with my communication with my patients and my presentation and was looking for some general insight on how is viewed and approached.

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[ktachiba]

This is a good question... I don't think they would avoid you if you were a male from my experiences...I've seen male aides put electrodes (not sure if I spelled this right) in the private areas of women (i.e. their butt), and they didn't seem to mind. And those were aides, so I imagine they wouldn't care if male PTs did it either. Maybe some would though.

 

[tweaze]

I think that some people will have a preference for a specific gender in their health care providers for a wide variety of reasons (religion, culture, previous trauma, nature of the ailment). It is discriminatory, but it's also not personal, and it's not necessarily something you have a lot of control over, as they will likely state if they have a preference when they make an appointment.

On the other hand, some people have no preference at all, or their preference may favor you.

When actually seeing a patient, I would think that behaving professionally and appropriately will prevent most misunderstandings.

 

[AlanWattsBlues]

How is this issue addressed when being taught to deal with patients?
How does one protect oneself from miscommunication or allegations?

Beware private treatment rooms. Leave the door open if you're in there. Document everything. Don't be a creep. Keep a professional demeanor. Careful where your eyes go. Careful how you position yourself for manual work. Ask permission. Don't slip hands under fabric. Basic barriers like a thin pillow can help to preserve personal space when treatment involves close contact.

On a side note: As a male, I feel strongly how important it is for me to be mindful of all of the above. But I've seen female professors who seem absolutely oblivious to these concerns, literally draping breasts over patients while working with them.

 

[NewDPT31]

Beware private treatment rooms. Leave the door open if you're in there. Document everything. Don't be a creep. Keep a professional demeanor. Careful where your eyes go. Careful how you position yourself for manual work. Ask permission. Don't slip hands under fabric. Basic barriers like a thin pillow can help to preserve personal space when treatment involves close contact.

On a side note: As a male, I feel strongly how important it is for me to be mindful of all of the above. But I've seen female professors who seem absolutely oblivious to these concerns, literally draping breasts over patients while working with them.

Cosign Cosign Cosign.

I always bring an aide in the room if possible, always leave door open, or conduct eval in main area with other people present. Use a towel rolled up to palpate some areas. Make sure you explain everything before you do it. You can be friendly, but don't be the Overly friendly best friend therapist to teenagers. Don't accept friendships on facebook.

I also have to agree about female dress and appropriateness as well. I have seen numerous female PT's with cleavage out or low shirts where when they bend over you see everything. Patients will wear that too. In those cases, I find myself Overcompensating with my eyes to make it clear I am not looking at their cleavage and my eyes are diverted somewhere else in the clinic. Just use common decency. Think of how you would want your girlfriend, wife, sister or other family member treated by another male therapist and act that way.

 

[jjjDPT]

Great advice above.

As for certain jobs, it's probably safe to assume you'd have a difficult time becoming a women's health/pelvic floor specialist for obvious reasons.

 

[DjT3kN]

Great thread.... I agree with all of the above. Overall, just be professional. Check! Got it!

 

[A Homeless Guy]

Like everyone said I think the best way to avoid "awkwardness" is to dictate everything you are about to do while also carrying a professional demeanor, and just use common sense and I bet you'd be able to avoid multiple situations that will make the pt awkward.

 

[dancing_DPT]

Female massage therapist here, with numerous male coworkers. I think the most important thing to remember is professionalism. professionalism. professionalism. Always. The males I work with are always mindful, polite, and professional. To this end, there is rarely an issue with gender. Sure, there have been people who request female therapists for whatever reason, and it's totally not personal (as someone stated above).

If you are always mindful and professional, there should not ever be an issue. And I feel that the same applies to women.

It also should be stated that you have to be OK with what you are doing. If you have to touch someone's glutes (an attractive female, an athletic guy, or an overweight person...or anyone), and you are thinking in your mind "Oh god! I'm touching their butt! This is so weird! What are they thinking! Agh I'm touching their butt!" Then they are going to sense that and feel really weird about the situation. But if you approach it with confidence and not a trace of insecurity, then the person will feel more at ease. This is why we practice on classmates before being sent out to work with the public on clinical rotations.