Course Title: Structural Competence OCCU 5003: Dimensions of Professional Practice
Institution: Dalhousie University
Main Topics:
Structural Competence
Social Determinants of Health
Core Competencies
TRC Calls to Action
Implications for Practice© Crystal Dieleman 2024
Objective: Promote equity in practice
Key Strategies:
Identify ongoing effects of colonization on Indigenous Peoples' occupational opportunities.
Analyze systemic and historical factors affecting occupational possibilities.
Challenge societal biases and structures that marginalize communities.
Address social determinants of health that affect well-being and occupational opportunities.
Reduce effects of unequal power distribution on occupational therapy services.
Support factors that foster health and well-being. © Crystal Dieleman 2024
Objective: Promote anti-oppressive behaviour and inclusive relationships
Key Strategies:
Cultivate a culturally safer and anti-racist practice environment.
Practice self-awareness to mitigate personal biases.
Engage with respect and humility, integrating clients' health understandings into service plans.
Pursue resources for culturally safer approaches.
Collaborate with local interpreters and community leaders. © Crystal Dieleman 2024
Objective: Contribute to equitable access in occupational therapy
Key Strategies:
Enhance clients' awareness of their rights to occupational participation.
Facilitate client participation in health-promoting occupations.
Assist clients with accessing support networks and resources.
Navigate systemic barriers to enhance client support.
Engage in critical dialogue on social injustices affecting occupational opportunities.
Advocate for sustainable environments and policies.
Be aware of data biases in occupational therapy practice. © Crystal Dieleman 2024
Cultural Competency: Focus on clinician bias and communication during clinical interactions.
Structural Competency: Recognizes the socio-political conditions that underpin health inequalities.
Calls for understanding how institutions shape healthcare experiences and advocating for systemic change. © Crystal Dieleman 2024
Concept: The ability to see how clinical symptoms reflect broader social decisions and structures.
Focus: Understanding how institutional structures produce health inequities.
Goal: To address the social determinants of health through active engagement and advocacy. © Crystal Dieleman 2024
Recognizing Structures: Awareness of factors influencing clinical interactions.
Extra-clinical Language: Ability to relate clinical presentations to social and institutional contexts.
Cultural Re-articulation: Framing clinical issues through cultural and structural lenses to acknowledge disparities.
Structural Interventions: Identifying and influencing decisions for structural change.
Structural Humility: Recognizing personal limits and valuing clients' lived experiences. © Crystal Dieleman 2024
Quote: Importance of critical engagement with occupational theories in relation to Indigenous health inequities.
Reflection: Occupational therapists must be aware of their values and the societal structures that sustain inequities. © Crystal Dieleman 2024
Issues: Myths of accessible services (healthcare, housing) versus reality of inequities.
Anticipation of racism by Indigenous people in healthcare settings.
Concept of racial fatigue: Stress from continual discrimination leading to mental and physical exhaustion. © Crystal Dieleman 2024
Advocation: Responsibility to address systemic issues affecting health outcomes.
Shift in Perspective: From individual client blame to societal accountability for inequities.
Critical Inquiry: Questions to consider regarding structural influences on health and clinical interactions. © Crystal Dieleman 2024
Service Access: Centralization of services in urban areas limits access for rural populations.
Primary Care Limitations: Insufficient mental health resources in rural communities.
Myths of Free Services: Perpetuation of stereotypes affecting minorities. © Crystal Dieleman 2024
Situation: A client with hemiplegia can’t be supported at a local nursing station due to resource shortcomings.
Care Recommendations: Discussion on the disconnect between urban and rural service provision. © Crystal Dieleman 2024
Situation: Cultural discomfort faced by an Indigenous client in an inpatient rehabilitation setting.
Reflection on Practice: Need for sensitivity and respect in clinical observations and assessments. © Crystal Dieleman 2024
A compilation of literature related to truth and reconciliation and structural competency in occupational therapy. © Crystal Dieleman 2024
Next Topic: Advocacy in occupational therapy practices at Dalhousie University. © Crystal Dieleman 2024