Cultural Responsiveness in Academic Physical Therapy: An Administrative Case Report.

OBJECTIVE: This paper describes how the administrative leadership of 1 physical therapy department curated, implemented, and evaluated a culturally responsive administrative support strategy to foster a positive working environment. Authors summarize participants' perceptions of culturally responsive practices using climate survey data. METHODS: This case occurred in the physical therapy and rehabilitation science department at an American academic medical center. The department administers 5 educational programs, 3 faculty practices, a community clinic, and a robust research enterprise, and employs over 100 employees. After a historic socio-cultural event, administrators implemented a series of actions to understand the needs of department employees and to respond in a culturally responsive manner. Interventions included supportive activities, educational opportunities, and community-building events. The department administered an annual climate survey to assess the employees' perceptions of the working climate, perceived impacts of the culturally responsive interventions, and suggestions for improving department climate. Survey analysis included frequency statistics (STATA Version 17; StataCorp LLC; College Station, Texas, USA) and thematic content analysis with sensitizing concepts from a culturally responsive practice framework previously applied in primary and secondary school settings. RESULTS: A total of 131 employees participated in the annual climate survey from 2020 to 2022. Employees' confidence to identify and address microaggressions in working environments showed trends of overall improvement, and overall self-reported experiences with racial discrimination decreased. Participants reported positive trends in addressing discrimination among colleagues, but difficulty addressing offensive behaviors perpetrated by patients. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that culturally responsive interventions are associated with positive trends in employee climate. Interventions tailored to the audience and curated to deepen cultural knowledge, enhance self-awareness, and validate others, fostered a shared commitment to cultural equity. IMPACT: Administrative leaders have a role in fostering an inclusive climate by capitalizing on culturally significant teachable moments with sound culturally responsive strategy, bi-directional culturally sensitive communication, individual development, and collective action.

Adopting Population Health Frameworks in Physical Therapist Practice, Research, and Education: The Urgency of Now.

Chronic, noncommunicable diseases have replaced acute, infectious diseases as the leading causes of global mortality and morbidity. Efforts among physical therapists to address noncommunicable diseases have primarily focused on the promotion of healthy behaviors among individual clients. However, the strongest predictors of chronic disease are tied to where we live, work, learn, and play, our families, and our communities. Population health frameworks can help us better understand the complex interrelations between individuals' health condition and their social and physical environment over time and also inform the development of effective programs and policies that improve the health of individuals and communities. The objectives of this article are to: (1) define population health, prevention, and health promotion; (2) provide a current perspective on the utility of population health frameworks in physical therapy; and (3) identify opportunities for the expanded use of population health frameworks in physical therapist practice, research, and education.