Cultural Responsiveness in Academic Physical Therapy: An Administrative Case Report

This paper describes how the administrative leadership of 1 physical therapy department curated, implemented, and evaluated a culturally responsive administrative support strategy to foster a positive working environment. Participants' perceptions of culturally responsive practices were explored using climate survey data.

This case occurred in the physical therapy and rehabilitation science department at an academic medical center in the United States. The department administers 5 educational programs, 3 faculty practices, a community clinic, and a robust research enterprise and employs over 100 employees. After a historic sociocultural event, administrators implemented a series of actions to understand the needs of department employees and to respond in a culturally responsive manner. Interventions included supportive activities, educational opportunities, and community-building events. The department administered an annual climate survey to assess the employees' perceptions of the working climate, perceived impacts of the culturally responsive interventions, and suggestions for improving department climate. Survey analysis included frequency statistics and thematic content analysis with sensitizing concepts from a culturally responsive practice framework previously applied in primary and secondary school settings.

A total of 131 employees participated in the annual climate survey from 2020 to 2022. Employees' confidence to identify and address microaggressions in working environments showed trends of overall improvement, and overall self-reported experiences with racial discrimination decreased. Participants reported positive trends in addressing discrimination among colleagues but also reported addressing offensive behaviors perpetrated by patients.

Findings suggest that culturally responsive interventions are associated with positive trends in employee climate. Interventions tailored to the audience and curated to deepen cultural knowledge, enhance self-awareness, and validate others fostered a shared commitment to cultural equity.

Administrative leaders have a role in fostering an inclusive climate by capitalizing on culturally significant teachable moments with sound culturally responsive strategy, bidirectional culturally sensitive communication, individual development, and collective action.