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Research Article
Issue Date: September 1993
Published Online: September 01, 1993
Updated: April 30, 2020
Exploring Multicultural Competencies of Occupational Therapists: Implications for Education and Training
Donald B. Pope-Davis; Loreto R. Prieto; Christina M. Whitaker; Sara A. Pope-Davis
Author Affiliations
  • Donald B. Pope-Davis, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Division of Psychological and Quantitative Foundations, 352 Lindquist Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242
  • Loreto R. Prieto is a graduate student, Counseling Psychology Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
  • Christina M. Whitaker is an undergraduate student, Psychology Department, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
  • Sara A. Pope-Davis, MS, OTR/L, is Director, Rehabilitation Services, Merey Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa
Article Information
Education of OTs and OTAs / Education
Research Article   |   September 01, 1993
Exploring Multicultural Competencies of Occupational Therapists: Implications for Education and Training
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, September 1993, Vol. 47, 838-844. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.47.9.838
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, September 1993, Vol. 47, 838-844. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.47.9.838
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Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to explore the influence of demographic and educational variables on self-reported multicultural competencies of occupational therapists. A sample of 94 occupational therapists currently working in the field participated in this investigation. Multicultural course work, seminars and workshops, percentage of minority patients worked with, and highest degree held were found to correlate significantly with self-reported multicultural competencies. Regression analyses found that highest degree held, percentage of minority patients worked with, multicultural course work, and participation in multicultural seminars and workshops accounted for about half of the variance in multicultural awareness. These findings are discussed in terms of academic courses and continued professional training and education for occupational therapists.