Gillian Yeowell1. 1. Department of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M13 0JA, UK. Electronic address: g.yeowell@mmu.ac.uk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the views and experiences of South Asian participants in relation to the potential barriers to increasing ethnic diversity of the physiotherapy profession. DESIGN: A qualitative research design was utilised, drawing on ethnographic traditions and including ethnographic interviews. The interviews were transcribed and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. SETTING: A venue of the participant's own choosing in the North west of England. PARTICIPANTS FINDINGS: From analysis of the data generated, three subthemes emerged in relation to the overarching theme; potential barriers: decreased knowledge of physiotherapy; issue of status; tension between cultures. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that a lack of knowledge may impact negatively on BME potential students considering physiotherapy as a possible career. The status of the profession was found to be an important factor in career choice. However, a lack of knowledge led many to consider physiotherapy to be less prestigious than other healthcare professions. Finally, a lack of sensitivity with the information given during the selection process caused some participants anxiety and to question physiotherapy as a career choice. Due consideration should be given to these potential barriers to address the underrepresentation of BME groups in physiotherapy.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the views and experiences of South Asian participants in relation to the potential barriers to increasing ethnic diversity of the physiotherapy profession. DESIGN: A qualitative research design was utilised, drawing on ethnographic traditions and including ethnographic interviews. The interviews were transcribed and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. SETTING: A venue of the participant's own choosing in the North west of England. PARTICIPANTS FINDINGS: From analysis of the data generated, three subthemes emerged in relation to the overarching theme; potential barriers: decreased knowledge of physiotherapy; issue of status; tension between cultures. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that a lack of knowledge may impact negatively on BME potential students considering physiotherapy as a possible career. The status of the profession was found to be an important factor in career choice. However, a lack of knowledge led many to consider physiotherapy to be less prestigious than other healthcare professions. Finally, a lack of sensitivity with the information given during the selection process caused some participantsanxiety and to question physiotherapy as a career choice. Due consideration should be given to these potential barriers to address the underrepresentation of BME groups in physiotherapy.