A Tale of Resilience--The Pathway into the Profession by Underrepresented Minority Physical Therapists: A Qualitative...

This qualitative study seeks to describe the lived experience of historically underrepresented minority physical therapists from exposure and motivation to pursue the physical therapy profession and pathway through academics into clinical practice. The study aims to identify themes that can inform future interventions and supports for historically underrepresented students pursuing a career in a health profession.

This study used a qualitative, grounded theory approach to uncover the lived experiences of underrepresented minority physical therapists. A convenience sample of 9 participants working in academic physical therapist programs were recruited. Focus groups were conducted. Transcripts were coded and compared across investigators. Themes were developed to encapsulate the data.

Four themes were identified representing the linear progression of the underrepresented minority physical therapists from introduction to the profession through entrance into the profession: strong foundation, narrowing spaces, emerging, and resilience.

Understanding these themes can inform efforts to increase minority representation in the profession. This work is novel in that it stems directly from underrepresented minorities in the profession rather than the former perspective of offices in higher education.