Cultural competence assessment application
Culturally safe practice includes consideration not just of ethnicity, but also gender, spirituality, sexual orientation, ability, life stage, language, socio-economics and the experience of trauma, (all of which influence peoples' values, beliefs, experiences, and activities).
A significant aspect of the unique sociocultural context in Aotearoa/New Zealand is its bicultural heritage. Much of the focus for social policy and healthcare has been the bicultural relationship between Maori as indigenous people and Pakeha (people of European heritage), based on what many consider to be the nation's founding document, te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi.
To practise effectively as an occupational therapist in Aotearoa/New Zealand requires not only a capacity and preparedness to work with people whose life experiences and culture may be different from your own, but also to integrate the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi into practice.
The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCAA) requires that regulatory authorities are assured of practitioners' cultural competence. The following essay questions have been designed to assist you to demonstrate this requirement.
In order to undertake the cultural competence assessment application, you will first need to read the relevant background readings. These are available on the
Forms page, or you may email
despina@otboard.org.nz to request the readings.
Essay Questions
Answer BOTH questions:
- With reference to the readings (see above) at in your own words, briefly describe your understanding of the uniqueness of the New Zealand healthcare and cultural environment.
- Give a brief outline of a time when you worked or interacted with a person from a culture different to your own, and describe:
- How you approached this
- What you learned as a result
- How it has impacted on your practice
- Your answer for each question should be no more than 250 words
- Formal essay style is not essential. Lists of relevant key points and phrases with some commentary to integrate them are acceptable. We are interested in your understanding of the readings provided, your ability to translate these to relevant features of Aotearoa/New Zealand's cultural context, and your own cultural awareness.