Attitudes and beliefs of occupational therapists participating in a cultural competency workshop.
The purpose of this study was to increase understanding of the subjective experience of 13 white, female occupational therapists in Louisiana as they participated in a 6-hour workshop on cultural competency. The study employed a mixed method design using qualitative data, obtained from structured reflection questions, and quantitative data, obtained from two objective outcome measures. Three themes emerged from the qualitative data regarding the participants' conflicting attitudes towards African American clients. Therapists believed that: (1) healthcare disparities are not due to racial discrimination; (2) therapists should listen to and educate African American clients; and (3) racial bias and stress contribute to health issues in African American clients. Results from the two outcome measures, the Racial Argument Scale and the Racial Attitude Implicit Association Test, indicate that overall, the study participants held significantly negative attitudes towards African Americans which was not ameliorated by the intervention. The small convenience sample in this study precludes generalization to a broader population, and further investigation into the attitudes of healthcare professionals in Louisiana is needed. Future instructional interventions should take into account the participants' developmental stage of cultural competence.
Steed
Robin
R
Masters of Occupational Therapy Program, School of Allied Health Professions, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA.
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel / Q000208:ethnology*; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D054521:Cultural Competency / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D003479:Curriculum; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008145:Louisiana; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D011287:Prejudice; D011361:Professional Competence; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D044465:White People / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology