Abstract

The summary of knowledge published in 2012 on the influence of ethnocultural belonging on the return-to-work process (B-081) describes the vulnerability factors that play a role in OHS risks among immigrant and ethnocultural minority workers. It discusses the definition of culture and identifies the various dimensions that make it up and that can have an influence in a rehabilitation and return-to-work context. These dimensions refer to various representations of the therapeutic relationship held by the worker and the clinician or OHS practitioner, notably pain-related attitudes and behaviours and the perception of the appropriate treatment. As the gap between representations can impact treatment adherence and outcomes, it emerged from this knowledge summary that a better understanding of the notion of the practitioner’s intercultural competency is required.

The Intercultural Relations – Understanding the Rehabilitation and Return-to-Work Process project (2010-0037), the results of which were published in 2017, highlights the role of practitioners, their intervention strategies and interactions, and the issues specific to intercultural contexts.

The main aim of this knowledge translation activity is to propose a process of reflection that will permit clearer identification of the intercultural issues present in the rehabilitation and return-to-work context in order to optimize interventions

The activity is also designed to increase OHS practitioners’ awareness of the notion of intercultural competencies and their application in the rehabilitation and return-to-work context, to familiarize them with the intercultural issues inherent in each of the steps involved in work rehabilitation, and to propose strategies for addressing these issues.