Co-Creation Methodology for Developing a Racial Inclusivity Training Resource in Physiotherapy Education

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Physiotherapy
• Diversity and Inclusion

Background:

• Racial discrimination and attainment disparities persist among physiotherapy students from minority groups.
• Inclusive training resources are essential to address these inequities.
• Co-creation, involving end-users, is vital for developing relevant and effective resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the co-creation methodology for a racial inclusivity training resource in physiotherapy practice education.
• To examine the potential and challenges of using co-creation in this context.
• To raise awareness of racial discrimination and challenge existing practices.

Main Methods:

• A design thinking approach guided the co-creation process.
• Participants included physiotherapy students (5), practice educators (5), and project team members (4).
• A scoping exercise (60 stakeholders) and six online workshops were conducted, followed by pilot testing and iterative refinement.

Main Results:

• The co-creation process was guided by inclusivity, collaboration, support, and safety.
• Key stages included exploration, scope-setting, delivery, and evaluation.
• Co-creators from racially minoritized backgrounds contributed lived experiences, ensuring authenticity and impact.

Conclusions:

• Co-creation offers a valuable methodology for developing inclusivity training resources in health professions education.
• Sustainability, time investment, and impact quantification are key considerations.
• The project highlights the ongoing role of co-creators in maintaining resource relevance and driving systemic change.