2/24/2019 Indaba Report
Met virtually to discuss the lack of diversity within the physical therapy profession
Attendees represented: students, faculty, clinicians, researchers, and business owners
Reviewed the current statistics related to racial and ethnic diversity among students, faculty, and program directors. Discussed the John Hopkins Diversity Wheel and the lack of data regarding the areas identified in the wheel.
Discussed the factors responsible for the lack of diversity within the physical therapy profession
Responses from participants: Cost of PT school, inability to pass NPTE, lack of inclusiveness within PT programs, lack of awareness, lack of minority faculty members, lack of resources to guide community outreach efforts, lack of data about some diversity dimensions
Discussed current activities to improve diversity within the physical therapy profession
Responses from participants: Health fairs, career fairs, mentoring high school and undergraduate students, non-cognitive admission practices and policies
Discussed the next steps
Responses from participants: The need for a multi-tiered strategy that starts with elementary students and continues with DPT graduates to increase the number of diverse residents. Group decided to start with elementary schools and will use the next meeting to share resources and draft new resources to support elementary aged outreach activities.
Next meeting: Sunday, March 17th 6pmCST
Met virtually to discuss the lack of diversity within the physical therapy profession
Attendees represented: students, faculty, clinicians, researchers, and business owners
Reviewed the current statistics related to racial and ethnic diversity among students, faculty, and program directors. Discussed the John Hopkins Diversity Wheel and the lack of data regarding the areas identified in the wheel.
Discussed the factors responsible for the lack of diversity within the physical therapy profession
Responses from participants: Cost of PT school, inability to pass NPTE, lack of inclusiveness within PT programs, lack of awareness, lack of minority faculty members, lack of resources to guide community outreach efforts, lack of data about some diversity dimensions
Discussed current activities to improve diversity within the physical therapy profession
Responses from participants: Health fairs, career fairs, mentoring high school and undergraduate students, non-cognitive admission practices and policies
Discussed the next steps
Responses from participants: The need for a multi-tiered strategy that starts with elementary students and continues with DPT graduates to increase the number of diverse residents. Group decided to start with elementary schools and will use the next meeting to share resources and draft new resources to support elementary aged outreach activities.
Next meeting: Sunday, March 17th 6pmCST