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Published on: February 16, 2011
Holding Ourselves Accountable: Use of a Bias Reporting Process in an Academic Physical Therapy Program
Ndidiamaka Matthews1,2,3,4,5,6, Kathryn L Havens1,2,3,4,5,6, Libby Krause1,2,3,4,5,6
1Ndidiamaka Matthews is the associate professor of Clinical Physical Therapy, Vice Chair of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA (dillibe@usc.edu). Please address all correspondence to Ndidiamaka Matthews.
Background And Purpose:
Bias has been documented in physical therapy (PT) educational settings and poses a significant barrier to the achievement of educational equity and excellence. Bias reporting mechanisms can be used for the confidential reporting of harmful behaviors witnessed or experienced.
Case Description:
This case report describes a process for a bias reporting mechanism in an academic PT program, the challenges faced, and strategies for building community engagement and trust in the process, and restorative actions used to meet individual and community needs.
Outcomes:
Five years after implementing this process, the bias reporting mechanism has had good community engagement with 36 reports received and an increasing percentage of non-anonymous reporters, which suggests growing organizational trust in the process.
Discussion And Conclusion:
A bias reporting process may serve as a valuable mechanism for academic PT programs looking to achieve educational equity and excellence.
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