HPR 453
 The
U.S. is no longer a melting pot of
homogenized Americans (Hubert Humphrey, 1967)
 Cultural competence is a strategy to
reduce disparities in access to and
provision of quality health and human
services
 CTRSs must provide culturally competent
services
 Demographics
continue to change
rapidly
 Terms - Cultural awareness, cultural
sensitivity, cultural diversity and others
 “continuous, developmental process of
pursuing cultural awareness, knowledge,
skills, encounters, sensitivity, and
linkages among services and people”
 Cultural
competence in health care
• The ability of systems to provide equitable care
to patients with diverse values, beliefs, and
behaviors, including tailoring delivery to meet
patients’ social, cultural, and linguistic needs
• Multiculturalism includes racism, sexism,
ableism, anti-Semitism, classism, heterosexism,
and homophobia
• Ignorance of cultural issues, lack of knowledge,
language differences = Barriers
 University
Program Accreditation
(COAPRT and CARTE)
 Individual Professional Certification
(NCTRC)
 Professional Associations (ATRA)
• Diversity: Case Studies in Healthcare
• Guidelines for Competency Assessment and
Curriculum Planning for Recreational Therapy
Practice
• Standards for the Practice of Therapeutic Rec
 ATRA
Board approved a Statement on Diversity
(March 2006) – The Association promotes
“diverse and inclusive participation by its
leaders, members and affiliates”
 ATRA Diversity Team
 ATRA Linda Levine Madori Scholarship
 NRPA nondiscrimination statement
 NRPA Diversity Scholarship
 ATRA Code of Ethics
 Professional Journals
 Lack
of cultural diversity among CTRSs
 National sample (2007) – N=979
•
•
•
•
15% male
10% ethnic minority
60% between 23-39 y/o
Mainly young Caucasian females but we serve a
large diverse population
 Concerted
efforts needed to recruit and
increase the number of minority students
into our TR curricula/profession
 Respond
to current and projected
demographic changes in US
 Eliminate longstanding disparities in
healthcare provision
 Improve quality of services & health outcomes
 Meet legislative, regulatory, and accreditation
mandates
 Gain competitive edge in the market place
 Decrease the likelihood of liability/malpractice
claims
 Essence
of TR is to improve functional
abilities, health, and overall quality of life
 CTRSs must understand the beliefs that
shape their clients’ approach to health
and illness
 Can face liability claims that their failure
to understand and adhere to their clients’
beliefs, practices, and behaviors
breaches professional standards of care
 Work
in multicultural settings
 Examine your own biases
 Learn about the community
 Examine your language
 Consider the interaction of families
 Learn about individuals and individual
differences