Bias Training Implementation in Holistic Admissions Review in a Physical Therapy Program

Holistic admissions review requires efforts at institutional and individual levels to dismantle traditional and inequitable practices. Optimal training for holistic admissions reviewers includes bias awareness and mitigation. The objective of this study was to describe and characterize the strategies used to standardize, implement, and evaluate implicit bias training during an entry-level physical therapy program graduate admissions cycle.

Holistic admissions reviewers (n=22) at a physical therapy education program were provided standardized training for bias awareness and mitigation. Planning efforts included a literature search of common biases in admissions processes, effective bias mitigation strategies, and training approaches. Implementation included multimodal training materials with repetition and consistency.

Reviewers completed a post training survey administered to assess implicit bias mitigation knowledge prior to training and experiences utilizing mitigation strategies during the cycle. All reviewers reported participation in training, with very good to excellent application of bias mitigation strategies during the process. Sustainability strategies are identified at the program, university, and professional level.

The results of this study demonstrate a well-planned implementation of implicit bias training was well-received and successfully adopted by admission reviewers. Quality improvement and implementation frameworks can be applied to assure standardization and sustainability.