Changing Perspectives of Local Therapists Eight Years after the Implementation of an Occupational Therapy Service in a Unique Himalayan Cross-Cultural Setting

Background. Whether concepts and principles of Occupational Therapy (OT) can successfully be applied to non-Western and cross-cultural settings is being intensively discussed. Aims/Objectives. We explored the changing perspectives of local occupational therapists (OTs) eight years after the implemen...

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Main Authors: Gaby Scheidegger, Zhang Ting Ting, Caroline Bastiaenen, Michael Nagler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Occupational Therapy International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5520195
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author Gaby Scheidegger
Zhang Ting Ting
Caroline Bastiaenen
Michael Nagler
author_facet Gaby Scheidegger
Zhang Ting Ting
Caroline Bastiaenen
Michael Nagler
author_sort Gaby Scheidegger
collection DOAJ
description Background. Whether concepts and principles of Occupational Therapy (OT) can successfully be applied to non-Western and cross-cultural settings is being intensively discussed. Aims/Objectives. We explored the changing perspectives of local occupational therapists (OTs) eight years after the implementation of an OT service in a Himalayan cross-cultural setting in terms of (1) treatment applied, (2) professional identity, and (3) cross-cultural interactions. Material and Methods. A qualitative study design was chosen, and semistructured interviews were conducted in all employed practitioners (a) during implementation and (b) eight years later n=7. Questions were carefully formulated in order to narrow down the intended issues but respecting crosscultural differences. The framework method was implemented for data analysis. Findings. Long-term empowering local OTs resulted in the successful development of a sustainable OT department in a unique Himalayan cross-cultural setting. Practitioners became aware of their therapeutic potentials, a clear sense of professional identity was developed, and it was recognised that sensitive cross-cultural practice is only achieved by an ongoing and intentional cultural learning process. Conclusions and Significance. Our findings suggest that OT can be applied to non-Western cross-cultural settings.
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spelling doaj-art-add6f5ada68049428111d416c64fc09d2025-08-20T03:39:41ZengWileyOccupational Therapy International0966-79031557-07032021-01-01202110.1155/2021/55201955520195Changing Perspectives of Local Therapists Eight Years after the Implementation of an Occupational Therapy Service in a Unique Himalayan Cross-Cultural SettingGaby Scheidegger0Zhang Ting Ting1Caroline Bastiaenen2Michael Nagler3ErgoService, Aarberg, SwitzerlandChinserve, Aarberg, SwitzerlandDepartment of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, NetherlandsUniversity Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, SwitzerlandBackground. Whether concepts and principles of Occupational Therapy (OT) can successfully be applied to non-Western and cross-cultural settings is being intensively discussed. Aims/Objectives. We explored the changing perspectives of local occupational therapists (OTs) eight years after the implementation of an OT service in a Himalayan cross-cultural setting in terms of (1) treatment applied, (2) professional identity, and (3) cross-cultural interactions. Material and Methods. A qualitative study design was chosen, and semistructured interviews were conducted in all employed practitioners (a) during implementation and (b) eight years later n=7. Questions were carefully formulated in order to narrow down the intended issues but respecting crosscultural differences. The framework method was implemented for data analysis. Findings. Long-term empowering local OTs resulted in the successful development of a sustainable OT department in a unique Himalayan cross-cultural setting. Practitioners became aware of their therapeutic potentials, a clear sense of professional identity was developed, and it was recognised that sensitive cross-cultural practice is only achieved by an ongoing and intentional cultural learning process. Conclusions and Significance. Our findings suggest that OT can be applied to non-Western cross-cultural settings.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5520195
spellingShingle Gaby Scheidegger
Zhang Ting Ting
Caroline Bastiaenen
Michael Nagler
Changing Perspectives of Local Therapists Eight Years after the Implementation of an Occupational Therapy Service in a Unique Himalayan Cross-Cultural Setting
Occupational Therapy International
title Changing Perspectives of Local Therapists Eight Years after the Implementation of an Occupational Therapy Service in a Unique Himalayan Cross-Cultural Setting
title_full Changing Perspectives of Local Therapists Eight Years after the Implementation of an Occupational Therapy Service in a Unique Himalayan Cross-Cultural Setting
title_fullStr Changing Perspectives of Local Therapists Eight Years after the Implementation of an Occupational Therapy Service in a Unique Himalayan Cross-Cultural Setting
title_full_unstemmed Changing Perspectives of Local Therapists Eight Years after the Implementation of an Occupational Therapy Service in a Unique Himalayan Cross-Cultural Setting
title_short Changing Perspectives of Local Therapists Eight Years after the Implementation of an Occupational Therapy Service in a Unique Himalayan Cross-Cultural Setting
title_sort changing perspectives of local therapists eight years after the implementation of an occupational therapy service in a unique himalayan cross cultural setting
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/5520195
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