Identifying and Addressing Social Determinants of Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the health of people from communities of color and people of limited socioeconomic means in a disproportionate way due to social determinants of health (SDoH). The Centers for Disease Control defines SDoH as the "conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health and quality-of life-risks and outcomes." A related construct, social determinants of learning (SDoL), includes contextual conditions and variables that impact students' ability to optimally participate in their education, including academic and clinical development. SDoL directly impact students' ability to participate in the educational process. During the COVID-19 pandemic, students struggling with SDoH and, by extension SDoL, may be more likely to have sick family members, caregiving responsibilities, food and housing insecurity, and obligations to supplement lost family wages. SDoL are also influenced by individual experiences within and outside of the classroom. Beyond bringing this matter to the attention of our profession, especially clinical and academic educators, we must take action to reach and support students who are at higher academic risk due to the SDoL. The purpose of this paper is to (1) define SDoL, (2) explain how SDoL are impacting doctor of physical therapy and physical therapist assistant students, and (3) discuss actions that physical therapists and physical therapist assistants can take to mitigate the effects of SDoL on current doctor of physical therapy and physical therapist assistant students.

This Perspective is one of the first explorations of how SDoL affect physical therapy students during the pandemic and provides concrete suggestions on how educators in both academic and clinical settings can help students succeed when they are negatively affected by SDoL.