School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
Wolf Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
BMC Public Health. 2023 Aug 30;23(1):1661. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-16554-2.
Patients who identify as 2SLGBTQIA + report negative experiences with physiotherapy. The objectives were to evaluate student attitudes, beliefs and perceptions related to 2SLGBTQIA + health education and working with individuals who identify as 2SLGBTQIA + in entry-level physiotherapy programs in Canada and to evaluate physiotherapy program inclusiveness towards 2SLGBTQIA + persons.
We completed a nationwide, cross-sectional survey of physiotherapy students from Canadian institutions. We recruited students via email and social media from August-December 2021. Frequency results are presented with percentages. Logistic regression models (odds ratios [OR], 95%CI) were used to evaluate associations between demographics and training hours with feelings of preparedness and perceived program 2SLGBTQIA + inclusiveness.
We obtained 150 survey responses (mean age = 25 years [range = 20 to 37]) from students where 35 (23%) self-identified as 2SLGBTQIA + . While most students (≥ 95%) showed positive attitudes towards working with 2SLGBTQIA + patients, only 20 students (13%) believed their physiotherapy program provided sufficient knowledge about 2SLGBTQIA + health and inclusiveness. Students believed more 2SLGBTQIA + training is needed (n = 137; 92%), believed training should be mandatory (n = 141; 94%) and were willing to engage in more training (n = 138; 92%). Around half believed their physiotherapy program (n = 80, 54%) and clinical placements (n = 75, 50%) were 2SLGBTQIA + -inclusive and their program instructors (n = 69, 46%) and clinical instructors (n = 47, 31%) used sex/gender-inclusive language. Discrimination towards 2SLGBTQIA + persons was witnessed 56 times by students and most (n = 136; 91%) reported at least one barrier to confronting these behaviours. Older students (OR = 0.89 [0.79 to 0.99]), individuals assigned female at birth (OR = 0.34 [0.15 to 0.77]), and students self-identifying as 2SLGBTQIA + (OR = 0.38 [0.15 to 0.94]) were less likely to believe their program was 2SLGBTQIA + inclusive. Older students (OR = 0.85 [0.76 to 0.94]) and 2SLGBTQIA + students (OR = 0.42 [0.23 to 0.76]) felt the same about their placements. Students who reported > 10 h of 2SLGBTQIA + training were more likely to believe their program was inclusive (OR = 3.18 [1.66 to 6.09]).
Entry-level physiotherapy students in Canada show positive attitudes towards working with 2SLGBTQIA + persons but believe exposure to 2SLGBTQIA + health and inclusiveness is insufficient in their physiotherapy programs. This suggests greater attention dedicated to 2SLGBTQIA + health would be valued.
自认为是 2SLGBTQIA+ 的患者报告了对物理治疗的负面体验。本研究的目的是评估加拿大入门级物理治疗项目中与 2SLGBTQIA+ 健康教育和与 2SLGBTQIA+ 个体合作相关的学生态度、信念和认知，以及评估物理治疗项目对 2SLGBTQIA+ 人群的包容性。
我们对加拿大机构的物理治疗学生进行了一项全国性的、横断面调查。我们通过电子邮件和社交媒体在 2021 年 8 月至 12 月期间招募学生。频率结果以百分比表示。使用逻辑回归模型（比值比[OR]，95%CI）评估人口统计学和培训时间与准备感之间的关联，以及与感知项目 2SLGBTQIA+ 的包容性。
我们从学生中获得了 150 份调查回复（平均年龄 25 岁[范围 20 至 37]），其中 35 名（23%）自认为是 2SLGBTQIA+。虽然大多数学生（≥95%）对与 2SLGBTQIA+ 患者合作持积极态度，但只有 20 名学生（13%）认为他们的物理治疗项目提供了足够的 2SLGBTQIA+ 健康和包容性知识。学生们认为需要更多的 2SLGBTQIA+ 培训（n=137；92%），认为培训应该是强制性的（n=141；94%），并愿意接受更多的培训（n=138；92%）。大约一半的学生认为他们的物理治疗项目（n=80，54%）和临床实习（n=75，50%）具有 2SLGBTQIA+ 的包容性，他们的项目指导者（n=69，46%）和临床指导者（n=47，31%）使用了性别包容的语言。学生们见证了 56 次对 2SLGBTQIA+ 患者的歧视，大多数学生（n=136；91%）报告了至少一种应对这些行为的障碍。年龄较大的学生（OR=0.89[0.79 至 0.99]）、出生时被指定为女性的学生（OR=0.34[0.15 至 0.77]）和自认为是 2SLGBTQIA+ 的学生（OR=0.38[0.15 至 0.94]）不太可能认为他们的项目具有 2SLGBTQIA+ 的包容性。年龄较大的学生（OR=0.85[0.76 至 0.94]）和 2SLGBTQIA+ 学生（OR=0.42[0.23 至 0.76]）对他们的实习也有同样的看法。报告接受了超过 10 小时的 2SLGBTQIA+ 培训的学生更有可能认为他们的项目具有包容性（OR=3.18[1.66 至 6.09]）。
加拿大入门级物理治疗学生对与 2SLGBTQIA+ 患者合作持积极态度，但认为他们的物理治疗项目中接触 2SLGBTQIA+ 健康和包容性的机会不足。这表明，更多关注 2SLGBTQIA+ 健康将受到重视。
