Challenges with collectivistic culture in home care reablement

Abstract

Purpose : The aim of this study is to investigate the challenges that health professionals face in rehabilitation with Adults' minorities in home care reablement and how these experiences can be understood. Background: The study indicates there has been an increase of immigrant in Norway, due to labour immigration from the EU's new member states east of Europe, and to the many refugees who have found their way to Norway due to war or poverty. Meeting this group of people from different culture with lots of family involvement in clients' rehabilitation, limited knowledge about their health and public information about rehabilitation has and is challenging for health professionals. Method: Qualitative method has been used to answer the study's research questions. Semi- structured interviews were carried out with six health professionals. The sample consisted of 2 physiotherapist (both were Norwegians), 3 were occupational therapist (one Norwegian, one from Bosnia and one from Zimbabwe) and 1 nurse from Somalia. A systematic text condensation that consists of four steps was used to analyse the raw data. Results (analyses and discussion): The health professionals identified several features of the challenges they face in home care reablement that they believed affected the rehabilitation of adults´ minorities. These were diversity culture, interdependence, expectation on recovery, problematic with goal setting and cultural awareness. Conclusion: It appears to be a need for increased multicultural competence and more people with minority backgrounds in health and social services with better prerequisites for understanding the cultural and religious background of adult´ minorities.