The importance of cultural experience in OT

[SnakePlissken]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Many OT schools emphasize an exposure to people of different culture. I think this is because as an OT, you will treat patients who may come from different cultural backgrounds. However, where I live it's predominately caucasian and I have not experienced different this very often. Why do you think an exposure to different cultures would be important? For example, would an African American express themselves differently etc? Please list examples if you have them!

Also, could some OT schools actually be referring to culture at an 'individual' level rather than ethnically or nationally?

Thanks guys!

 

[RedHeadOT]

I know where I live in Southern California, a lot of the patients where I observe are Hispanic. As a rule they have a lot of visitor that come see them and sometimes want to sit in on the therapy sessions. They also are primarily Spanish speaking. The OTs I observe have to be a lot more creative in thinking of activities they can either model or explain using simple Spanish, because the OTs don't speak Spanish. They also have to accommodate visitors a lot. Just some small differences.