Occupational therapy students' perceptions of their cultural awareness and competency

Occupational therapy students' perceptions of cultural awareness and their self-rated level of cultural competence were investigated. Seventy-two participants at four stages of education (on entry, on completion of university-based studies, on completion of fieldwork and one year following graduation) completed the Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity Questionnaire. The findings indicate that occupational therapy students graduated with an understanding of cultural diversity and the realization that cultural awareness and sensitivity are essential to culturally competent practice. The findings suggest that there is not enough exposure to cultural issues in both university-based education and in fieldwork. This study was limited to one state university and to most students aged < or =24 years and predominantly female. It did not explore the factors that influence the development of cultural competence and the methods to develop it. Future studies should monitor actual culture-related exposures to determine how learning experiences are organized and the ways culture influences the learning process and clinical competence.