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Ethnic Clients in Diversional Therapy Programmes
Author(s) -
Westbrook Mary T.,
Skropeta C. Margaret,
Legge Varoe
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
australian occupational therapy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1440-1630
pISSN - 0045-0766
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1630.1991.tb01674.x
Subject(s) - ethnic group , ethnically diverse , occupational therapy , psychology , medicine , nursing , physical therapy , sociology , anthropology
A questionnaire survey of diversional therapists was conducted to examine their experiences with ethnic clients in diversional therapy programmes. The average therapist worked with the frail aged in a nursing home and had four ethnic clients, only one of whom spoke fluent English. Therapists experienced problems in communicating with clients and accommodating their needs. Ratings of ethnic clients' reactions to diversional therapy programmes indicated that they participated in and enjoyed 29 of 32 activities less than did other clients. While many therapists had introduced special activities and innovations, a tendency to deny the existence of ethnic clients' special needs could impede the development of ethnically sensitive diversional therapy programmes.