Development of a Cultural Awareness Scale for Occupational Therapy Students in Latin America: A Qualitative Delphi Study

Abstract

Cultural awareness is a key issue in healthcare worldwide. Valid and reliable assessments are needed to assess cultural awareness for occupational therapy students. The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to assess cultural awareness for Latin American occupational therapy students. A Delphi design was implemented considering four rounds with experts from four countries. A 30-item scale in Spanish was developed to assess three categories of items: personal, therapeutic strategies and persons' cultures. The experts highlighted local features for professional practice as a key aspect of the scale. Local differences in practice were considered with the profession's traditions and prevailing knowledge across the scale. A participatory strategy and an international group of experts enriched the cultural relevance. A subsequent study of statistical reliability is required (the scale is not presented in an extended version here). Further research should consider the application of the scale and strategies to improve cultural awareness across the curricula.