Explorations of strategies for inclusion for newly qualified physiotherapists from racially minoritised groups in a large, urban NHS Trust, UK

Objectives

The study aimed to i) understand the experiences of newly qualified physiotherapists from racially minoritised backgrounds in a large hospital physiotherapy department and ii) co-create and implement inclusive strategies to affect work culture.

Design

The project used an action research design with co-creation principles and was in 3 phases. Phase 1 explored the experiences of inclusion for newly qualified racially minoritised staff, using focus groups and transcripts analysed thematically. The themes identified were used to co-create strategies for inclusion that were implemented in Phase 2 and evaluated Phase 3.

Setting

A large urban teaching hospital physiotherapy department in the UK.

Participants

Participants were invited to join focus groups for newly qualified racially minoritised staff, newly qualified white staff, or senior staff.

Results

Phase 1 findings are reported here, while phases 2 and 3 are reported elsewhere. Seventeen newly qualified physiotherapists (eight racially minoritised, nine white colleagues) and ten senior physiotherapists participated in seven focus groups. Thematic analysis identified four themes; 1) Fear spectrum: all colleagues struggled to find a common ground for discussing race, 2) Race as an additional burden for racially minoritised staff in belonging in the department, 3) Contradiction between the organisation culture and impact on racially minoritised staff, and 4) Consistent work practices give an illusion of inclusion.

Conclusions

The findings reflect previous studies that racially minoritised physiotherapists experience additional burdens not fully understood by their white peers. There are implications for the department which are currently being enacted and evaluated and will be reported elsewhere.

Contribution of the Paper

• •
  Racism in the workplace continues to limit a sense of belonging for racially minoritised physiotherapists.
• •
  All physiotherapy colleagues experience a fear of discussing race in the workplace that has implications for inclusion.
• •
  Existing policies and structures in the physiotherapy workplace give an illusion of inclusion, but lack racial equity.