Influence of Culture on the Occupational Therapy Process in the Early Intervention System

SIGNIFICANCE: There has been a gradual shift in the representation of cultural groups within the overall American society. Occupational therapists in the early intervention (EI) system must be aware of the cultural influences in hopes of providing quality, client-centered care to culturally diverse families.

INNOVATION: Current research addresses the need of cultural competency within the field of occupational therapy; however, there is a lack of evidence that explores the influences of culture on the occupational therapy process as perceived by occupational therapy practitioners within the early intervention system.

APPROACH: There is lack of evidence that supports the influences of cultural factors on the occupational therapy process as perceived by occupational therapy practitioners in the EI system. Additional research must be conducted to explore the factors that influence the provision of family-centered care when working with families and children from diverse cultures as perceived by occupational therapy practitioners working in the EI system.

Research questions for this study included the following: (1) What does the term “culture” mean to occupational therapy practitioners working in EI? (2) How does culture influence daily occupations of children and their families as perceived by occupational therapy practitioners working in EI? (3) How does culture influence occupational therapy practice when working with culturally diverse families as perceived by occupational therapy practitioners working in EI? (4) What strategies do occupational therapy practitioners working in EI use to facilitate occupational therapy process when interacting with culturally diverse families?

METHOD: The research used a qualitative research design in a university setting. Four occupational therapists who work in the EI system in Illinois were recruited for this study. The researchers used Photovoice methodology to collect data. Photovoice is an action research method that builds on the understanding that people are experts on their own lives. Photovoice combines photographs and descriptions to give people an opportunity to record and reflect on their daily lives. The participants were introduced to the concept of Photovoice and asked to take two photographs that described the following themes: (1) What does the term culture mean to them? (2) How does culture influence daily occupations of children and families? (3) How does culture influence the occupational therapy process when working with families from diverse cultures?

Later, the participants were interviewed and asked to answer the following questions related to the photographs: What is happening in the photograph? How does this photograph relate to your practice as an occupational therapist in the EI system when working with families with diverse cultures?

Interviews were audio recorded. The qualitative data collected was analyzed using a qualitative analytical process that involves data reduction, coding and conclusion drawing, as well as verification, which leads to development of overarching themes.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Data analysis was completed in July 2014.