APTA. (2004). A Normative Model of Physical Therapist Education.

Professional Practice Expectation #7: Cultural Competence

• Definition: Cultural and linguistic competence is a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals that enables effective work in cross-cultural situations.
• Culture refers to integrated patterns of human behavior that include the language, thoughts, communications, actions, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions of racial, ethnic, religious, or social groups.
• Competence implies having the capacity to function effectively as an individual and an organization within the context of the cultural beliefs, behaviors, and needs presented by consumers and their communities.

MU PT 8390 – Case Management I

Overall course objective:
Examine how cultural and personal differences, including communication barriers, health beliefs, attitudes toward pain, chronic disease and use of unconventional therapies affect management and recovery (12)

Case-based objectives:
Identify typical psychological issues related to heart disease, and possible ethnic / cultural variations. State epidemiology rates for heart disease by ethnic groups. (28.L)

MU PT 8690 – Case Management II

Overall course objective:
Demonstrate professional attitudes and communication skills that are appropriate for meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse aging population. Recognize how sociocultural knowledge can be applied to influence the patient-provider interaction positively.

Case-based objective:
Provide examples of cultural differences that can affect patient rapport in the following areas: eye contact; touch; personal space; sex (gender); time management; preliminary conversation (small talk).  In particular, consider ethnic and religious minority groups including Black, Hispanic, Native American, Muslim. Understand how the degree of assimilation of an individual from an ethnic group into the dominant culture will influence the expression / existence of these generalizations.  (20.K)