Assessing Cultural Competency and Agility Among Occupational Therapists in Canada: A Cross-Sectional Mixed-Methods...

Area of Science:

• Health Professions
• Social Determinants of Health
• Cultural Competence in Healthcare

Background:

• Canadian occupational therapy (OT) professional bodies mandate culture, equity, and justice as core competencies.
• The study addresses the need to understand diversity within the OT profession and its capacity for culturally responsive care.
• Focus is placed on cultural competence and cultural agility in serving equity-deserving groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the diversity of occupational therapists in Canada.
• To explore occupational therapists' perspectives on providing culturally responsive care.
• To assess occupational therapists' cultural competence and agility.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional mixed-methods survey was administered to 240 occupational therapists.
• Data collection included demographics, the Cultural Competence Assessment Instrument (Awareness/Sensitivity and Competence Behavior subscales), and an open-ended question.
• Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data underwent content analysis.

Main Results:

• The sample comprised predominantly female OTs (90.7%) with limited racial diversity; 41% identified race, with 21.3% of those being of Southeast Asian descent.
• OTs reported lower scores in Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity (3.17/7) and Cultural Competence Behavior (3.22/7).
• Despite acknowledging healthcare system distrust and barriers, most OTs felt confident in addressing them, indicating a need for individual and systemic inclusivity.

Conclusions:

• The surveyed occupational therapist sample exhibited low diversity in gender, race, and ethnicity.
• Canadian OTs demonstrated varied perceptions regarding health disparities, patient access barriers, and their effectiveness in addressing these challenges.
• Findings underscore the need for enhanced cultural responsiveness and systemic changes within occupational therapy practice in Canada.