Listening to the client: Experiences of occupational therapy services shared by an Anishinaabe tribal member

• Main Authors: Brown, Lauren, Currie, Tessa
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Sound Ideas 2015
• Subjects: Indigenous; Cultural Competence; Occupational therapy; anishina*
• Online Access: https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/ms_occ_therapy/115; https://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1104&context=ms_occ_therapy

The indigenous American consumer perspective is lacking within occupational therapy research. By better understanding the experiences of individuals who identify as indigenous and who have received occupational therapy, practitioners can work to create a more effective therapeutic relationship, more relevant goals, and more effective treatment. A phenomenological approach to qualitative analysis was used to explore the perspective of one indigenous woman and her experience with occupational therapy. Themes that emerged include: 1) know the individual’s background and the tribal and regional history, 2) treat the whole including family and community, and 3) use a functional, practical and individualized approach relevant to the cultural context. This information will help to expand the information available to occupational therapy practitioners regarding culturally competent practice.