title: From idealistic helper to enterprising learner: critical reflections on personal development through experiences from Afghanistan.
abstract: There is little written about the cultural, social, and ethical challenges encountered by physiotherapists engaging in development work. This article takes a critical perspective on what it means to engage in development work as an expatriate physiotherapist, through a self-critical reflection on experiences from Afghanistan. The field notes from an ethnographic study of a development project conducted in Afghanistan were analysed to explore the transformative process of personal and professional development of the development worker. The critical reflective process entailed a change in meaning perspective, described as a shift from the position of an Idealistic Helper to an Enterprising Learner. Of importance in this process were "disorienting dilemmas" that challenged personal perceptions. Critical reflection over such dilemmas led to deeper understanding facilitating the process of change. The essential lesson learned is that the baseline for understanding others is an understanding of one's own meaning perspectives and manner of participation in relation to others and their context. The insights gained have implications for physiotherapists working in development contexts, for other development workers, and for physiotherapists working with patients in clinical practice in a nondevelopment context. Exploring how to collaborate in development contexts could be done using reflective groups with expatriate and local physiotherapists and/or patients. This could lead to greater understanding of oneself, each other, and the local context.
authors: Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, S-40530 Gothenburg, Sweden. jenny.wickford@neuro.gu.se
authors: Jenny
authors: J
authors: Wickford
authors: Susanne
authors: S
authors: Rosberg
mesh_terms: D000346:Afghanistan; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003144:Communication Barriers; D032882:Comprehension; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D003906:Developing Countries; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004517:Education, Professional / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007802:Language; D007858:Learning; D009938:Organizations; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education*; D011364:Professional Practice; D024382:Professional Role; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012919:Social Behavior; D013192:Staff Development; D013548:Sweden