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
- Five, Muslim female parents; who came to the UK from Pakistan.
- Two black and minority ethnic (BME) undergraduate physiotherapy students; one female and one male. They described their ethnicity as: British Indian and British Pakistani.
- Three BME female physiotherapy clinicians. They described their ethnicity as Indian and British Pakistani.
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.
Citation
‘Oh my gosh I’m going to have to undress’: potential barriers to greater ethnic diversity in the physiotherapy profession in the United Kingdom. Physiotherapy - December 2013 (Vol. 99, Issue 4, Pages 323-327, DOI: 10.1016/j.physio.2013.03.002)