title: Is there a chilly climate? An educational environmental mixed method study in a chiropractic training institution.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The attitude towards gender in an educational environment has a significant impact on a student's behavior, sense of well-being, and academic performance. Our study aimed to explore the presence and extent of gender-related issues in a chiropractic undergraduate learning environment, which has been a scarcely researched topic in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Perceived Chilly Climate Scale (PCCS) was used as the initial tool for screening the gender issues among undergraduates. The issues identified were explored further with a series of focus group interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PCCS had an 83% response rate. The PCCS score (105/196) indicated the nonexistence of alarming gender-related issues. However, the PCCS score was significantly higher among female than male subjects, immigrants than nonimmigrants, and minorities than majority ethnic groups. Despite high ratings on the questionnaire quantitative findings, the focus groups indicated a good sense of equality, oppression-free environment, and no obvious signs of discrimination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The educational environment of the institution concerned was conducive to equality. However, subtle but important gender-, ethnic-, and minority-related issues could be addressed to provide an enhanced educational environment to learners.
authors.forename: Per J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Palmgren
authors.forename: Madawa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chandratilake
authors.forename: Gunnar H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Klara Bolander
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Laksov
keywords: Chiropractic; Education; Ethnic Groups; Gender Issues; Minority Groups