To be aware of the impact of culture, equality and diversity on practice is set out as a mandatory component of physiotherapy practice (1). Respect and the promotion of diversity is something I have not necessarily had to take into account on my previous sports science degree but within the healthcare profession, it is rightfully at the forefront of CSP values (2). I was introduced to early mandatory training as part of our physiotherapy course where equality and diversity was an essential component in order to ensure I was fit for practice, I successfully past the criteria of this aspect of training (evidenced – Equality and Diversity Mandatory Training Certificate). I believe this training was a vitally important component to complete, not just because it allows me to be able to practice, but on a more personal level as a I believe having a value and respect for diversity is pivotal for the success of multi-disciplinary care for patients (2,3).  This training was useful for practice during a placement I had in the Suffolk area when working as part of a multi-disciplinary team in an outpatient clinic, I reflected (evidenced – Reflection FAB Clinic – Respect) that the diversity we had within this setting, from occupational therapists to consultants allowed for successful holistic treatment of patients and because of the mutual respect that was had between professions, the system worked effectively, which reinforced my beliefs that respect and valuing diversity is important in healthcare (2). This continued throughout all my placements but more noticeably in placement 6, I had the opportunity to advocate on behalf of the patient which resulted in the patient getting the most patient-centred care by returning home, something that patient really wanted, and without me working constructively with people of different professions, this may have not been achieved, effecting the patients care and outcomes (evidenced - End of Placement 6: Reflection) (2).

I felt it was important to learn about how to avoid discriminatory behaviour, and minimise the potential negative effects of individual differences that could subconsciously cause barriers to form, causing ineffective teamwork, communication and patient care (2,4,5). Therefore, it was important to have adequate training in order to be aware of what actions or inactions that would be discriminatory of individual differences (2). This came in the form of supplementary mandatory training (evidenced – Disability Awareness Mandatory Training) to broaden my knowledge and understanding around the principles of discriminatory behaviour and allow me to consider and examine my own values going forward (2). Examining my own values and principles to avoid the potential negative effects of individual differences came in the form of reflection following a module in interprofessional collaboration and development whilst working in teams of different healthcare professional students (evidenced – Reflection: Stereotyping and Teamwork). Stereotyping was highlighted as a concept that can inhibit the effectiveness of communication and teamwork (6). Once stereotyping had been addressed, our teamwork improved highlighting to me that pre-conceived beliefs caused discriminatory behaviours that had negative effects on productivity, but once they had been addressed following examination of my own values and principles, I was able to minimise the negative effects on individual differences, allowing me to work effectively with others (2,7).

Part of respecting and promoting diversity is to be able to work constructively with people of all backgrounds and orientations (2). During the initial stages of the physiotherapy course, we were placed into groups in order to present on a topic that was new to us all. We did not know each other and did not know them as individuals at this stage, meaning I had no knowledge of their background or orientation, but we were able to work constructively to design and present a presentation to great success (evidenced – Group Presentation: Pain)(2). Supplementary to this, I believe the evidence – Reflection: Stereotyping and Teamwork is effective and demonstrating further an ability to work constructively with people of all backgrounds and orientations where I was able to work effectively with others, practicing in a non-discriminatory manner, a domain that is important for effective patient-centred care (1,7,8). This has highlighted to me that through the identification of my own values and principles, I will be able to deliver more effective and person-centred care through a better understanding of different patient groups in order to eliminate any discriminatory behavior occurring in my future practice (2). This does not only apply to patient groups, but the individuals I work with. Being able to reflect on concepts such as stereotyping and teamworking has allowed me to respect the individuals I work with, which has enabled me to work more constructively with people and this will help me in my future career going forward (2).

Reference List

1. Council H and CP. Physiotherapists | The Standards of Proficiency For Physiotherapists [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2020 Mar 24]. Available from: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standards-of-proficiency/physiotherapists/
2. Physiotherapy CS of. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Framework [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2020 Mar 23]. Available from: http://www.csp.org.uk/professional-union/careers-development/cpd/csp-eportfolio/my-eportfolio/cpd-
3. Beach MC, Duggan PS, Cassel CK, Geller G. What does “respect” mean? Exploring the moral obligation of health professionals to respect patients. Vol. 22, Journal of General Internal Medicine. Springer; 2007. p. 692–5.
4. Weller J, Boyd M, Cumin D, Professor Jennifer A, Postgrad Med J CD. Teams, tribes and patient safety: overcoming barriers to effective teamwork in healthcare.
5. Babiker A, El Husseini M, Al Nemri A, Al Frayh A, Al Juryyan N, Faki MO, et al. Health care professional development: Working as a team to improve patient care. Sudan J Paediatr [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2020 Jun 2];14(2):9–16. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27493399
6. Cook K, Stoecker J. Healthcare Student Stereotypes: A Systematic Review with Implications for Interprofessional Collaboration [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2019 Apr 8]. Available from: www.jripe.org
7. Charted Society of Physiotherapy. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy xx Professional Values of Members’ Code and Behaviour 2 Code of Members’ Professional Values and Behaviours [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2019 Apr 9]. Available from: https://www.csp.org.uk/system/files/csp_code_of_professional_values_behaviour_full.pdf
8. Babiker A, El Husseini M, Al Nemri A, Al Frayh A, Al Juryyan N, Faki MO, et al. Health care professional development: Working as a team to improve patient care. Sudan J Paediatr [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2020 May 24];14(2):9–16. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27493399