Abstract
Objectives
The aim of this study was to identify the perceptions, attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists towards clients of non-English-speaking backgrounds.
Design
Qualitative methods of semi-structured interviews and observations were used to conduct an exploratory study.
Setting
Three hospitals in New South Wales, Australia.
Participants
Six physiotherapists from the hospitals were interviewed and other physiotherapists were observed.
Results
Some participants acted towards clients from cultural minorities based on stereotypes, whilst other participants with limited cultural knowledge incorrectly presumed that they were proficient at cross-cultural interactions. Cultural assimilation was favoured by one physiotherapist.
Conclusion
Physiotherapists need to be aware of their own cultural biases, and be willing to undergo a change within themselves to interact effectively and provide quality care to clients from non-English-speaking backgrounds.
Citation
Physiotherapists’ perceptions of clients from culturally diverse backgrounds
Teresa S. Lee, Gerard Sullivan, Gwenda Lansbury
Physiotherapy - September 2006 (Vol. 92, Issue 3, Pages 166-170, DOI: 10.1016/j.physio.2006.04.003)