Foundations: Cultural Competence

Cultural Competence

Cultural competence is a key concept that occupational therapists must have a grasp on to be the best practitioners we can be.  I see cultural competence as going hand in hand with a holistic mindset: if we cannot look beyond differences in culture, how are we supposed to see others as whole human beings?  In class, we discussed some key terms such as racism, discrimination, bias, etc.  It is hard to come to terms with the fact that these kinds of negative feelings come across our minds from time to time, but it is important that we are faced with the reality that everyone has those thoughts.  What's important is to stop them in their tracks.  Taking racism for example: if an OT looks at someone evenly slightly different due to the color of someone's skin, that therapist is not looking at the client holistically.  How can you look at the "whole person" if you cannot accept them as having equal person-hood as yourself?  Even though these topics can be controversial and uncomfortable, it is necessary to have this kind of dialogue to accept others and provide the best treatment possible.