Occupational Therapy in Oman: The Impact of Cultural Dissonance

Abstract

Occupational therapy theory and philosophy are broadly considered to be based on Western cultural values. In contrast, the application of theory and practice in the Sultanate of Oman, historically based on traditional Middle Eastern and Islamic cultural values, provides a case exemplar, which highlights both paradigmatic differences and cultural dissonance. Drawing on the experiences of occupational therapists working in Oman, this study found that the application of therapeutic goals aimed at patient independence and autonomy were difficult to achieve in an environment where family duty and responsibility for care were highly prized. Dressing and cooking assessments were challenging, and issues related to gender proved problematic. Therapists found the need to adapt practice to acknowledge these differences, and to adopt pragmatic problem-solving strategies, without resolving the underpinning philosophical contradictions. Occupational therapy in Oman is under-researched; further work is needed to confirm the cross-cultural validity of specific assessments and practice models.

A Call to Wellness – Whitiwhitia i te ora: Exploring Māori and Occupational Therapy Perspectives on Health

“…Until indigenous peoples routinely have access to services provided from their own worldview, nonindigenous occupational therapists need to understand how both indigenous practitioners and indigenous clients may experience and see the world differently from them (Iwama, 2007;Gerlach, 2008;Kronenberg et al, 2011;Gilsenan et al (2012); Najat Saif Mohammed & Borthwick, 2012;Hopkirk, 2013).…”

Experiences of international students from Asian backgrounds studying occupational therapy in Australia

“…Consistent with research with qualified occupational therapists, however, students saw occupational therapy as not ‘well‐developed’ and restricted in terms of areas of practice in their home countries (Al Busaidy & Borthwick, ; Bourke‐Taylor & Hudson, ; Yang et al ., ). Most participants resigned themselves to adapting to this status quo when they returned to their home country.…”

Malaysian Occupational Therapists’ Perspective on Prayer Activity of Muslim Clients

“…lack of literature; and support from the multidisciplinary team and administrations) have worsen the support to incorporate salat activity into practice. Although Islam is considered as the majority religion in Malaysia (5, 29), the education system in Malaysia including the health system is shaped by the Western system where secularism happens and Islam is considered a minority matter (2).…”

“…The female gender influences the practice of working with caregivers in evaluating and intervening the clients. In Asian culture, the role of ensuring a cosy home and maintaining the hospitality of family members are carried out by women (2). This contributed to why female therapists appear to give more comfortableness and includes family members in training the clients.…”

“…The purposefulness and meaningfulness of activity is closely related with cultural influences (1,2,6). The concern in occupational therapy arises on how an activity can be conducted following cultural norms.…”