Assessing Diversity and Cultural Competency Among Canadian Physiotherapists: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Part 1

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Rehabilitation Sciences
• Cultural Competency in Healthcare

Background:

• Cultural diversity among healthcare professionals impacts patient care.
• Understanding challenges in delivering physiotherapy to diverse populations is essential.
• Cultural competency is a key factor in equitable healthcare delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe cultural diversity within the physiotherapy profession in Canada.
• To identify challenges faced in providing physiotherapy services to equity-seeking communities.
• To measure and assess factors influencing cultural competency among physiotherapists.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey of 808 Canadian physiotherapists was conducted.
• The survey assessed demographics, cultural competency levels, and rehabilitation delivery challenges.
• Regression models were developed using backwards elimination and cross-validated.

Main Results:

• The physiotherapy workforce is predominantly White/Caucasian, with under-representation of Indigenous peoples.
• Physiotherapists scored high in cultural awareness and sensitivity but lower in behavioral competency.
• Factors like gender, race, and prior diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training showed weak associations with awareness and competency.

Conclusions:

• Current educational structures for DEI in physiotherapy need improvement.
• Recruitment strategies should focus on increasing the diversity of physiotherapists.
• Findings can inform policy and educational initiatives to enhance cultural competence in physiotherapy.