Purpose of review: The aim of this article is to describe progress in the understanding of the relationship between culture, race, ethnicity and similar factors as they pertain to rehabilitation and the rheumatic diseases. This review highlights important current issues and indicates areas for future study.
Recent findings: There is very little published research in this area of rehabilitation medicine. Recent findings and observations indicate that there are many important cultural aspects of rehabilitation in the rheumatic diseases with several societal as well as individual implications. This is a rapidly growing area of work as it is being increasingly recognized that an understanding of these cross cultural issues is essential in order to be able to ensure the delivery of clinically and cost effective rehabilitation services which are client centred and consequently culturally appropriate. Although the interrelationship of culture, race, genetics, ethnicity, language, religion, history, geography, socioeconomic status and educational level is complex, studies are beginning to reveal the contributions of these factors to ensuring minimization of disability and high quality rehabilitation strategies.
Summary: Although much neglected, the importance of cultural aspects of rehabilitation in rheumatic diseases is being increasingly recognized and understood. Issues that have been identified include the rehabilitation needs assessment of different ethnic groups, the development of culturally valid outcome measures and the implementation and evaluation of culturally competent multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs.