Abstract
African OTs offer insights on culturally responsive care, emphasizing the influence of culture on therapy practice. Findings highlight the need for cultural sensitivity in therapy, guiding the development of tailored interventions
Primary Author and Speaker: Joana Nana Serwaa Akrofi
Additional Authors and Speakers: Rosemary Xorlanyo Doe-Asinyo
Contributing Authors: Janet Njelesani
Occupational therapy, known for its client-centered approach (Bailliard et al., 2020; Karstensen & Kristensen, 2021), acknowledges the profound influence of culture on occupation, which influences an individual’s identity and daily routines (Bonder et al., 2004). Africa is a continent with rich diversity where no single ethnic group dominates any country’s population (Fearon, 2003). Thus, African occupational therapists are uniquely positioned to offer valuable insights on navigating and respecting diverse cultural perspectives in healthcare delivery. This descriptive qualitative study was designed to investigate African occupational therapists’ perceptions of their professional practice within the context of their geopolitical environment. Twenty African occupational therapy practitioners were purposively recruited from seven African countries and engaged in 35-50-minute semi-structured interviews. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically (Braun & Clark, 2006). Three main themes were derived from the data. First, occupational therapists must proactively educate themselves about the cultures of their clients, showing a deliberate effort to understand their beliefs and practices. Second, interventions should be adapted to align with the specific cultural norms and preferences of clients, rather than applying standardized approaches. Third, occupational therapists need to continually reflect on and assess their own personal and professional biases when navigating the complexities of diverse cultural backgrounds. The insights shared by African therapists can be adopted globally by occupational therapists to foster culturally responsive care that meets diverse client needs. The study’s findings may also be integrated to develop culturally sensitive assessments and practice guidelines that promote equitable service delivery worldwide.
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Bonder, B. R., Martin, L., & Miracle, A. W. (2004). Culture emergent in occupation. The American journal of occupational therapy, 58(2), 159–168.
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