title: 'Isn't it all Whites?' Ethnic diversity and the physiotherapy profession.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore physiotherapists' perceptions, views and experiences of ethnic diversity in relation to the physiotherapy profession.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative research study, drawing on ethnographic traditions and including ethnographic interviews. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. Several verification procedures were incorporated into the design to ensure quality.
  
  
  METHODS
  Venues chosen by the participants in North West England.
  
  
  METHODS
  A purposive sample of 22 physiotherapists (five students, seven clinicians and 10 academics) with a range of ethnicities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most participants' experiences and perceptions were of a lack of ethnic diversity within the profession. Further findings related to the impact of this included: the perception that physiotherapy is a White profession; some Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) physiotherapists felt 'out of place' on occasions; and failure to meet patients' needs. The potential benefits of increased ethnic diversity and the possible risks of valuing BME staff solely in terms of their ethnicity were also illuminated by the findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study of the perceptions and experiences of physiotherapists identified a lack of ethnic diversity within the profession. It is argued that a lack of ethnic diversity may result in a failure to meet patients' needs. A workforce that is reflective of the population it serves can have greater cultural knowledge, and is more likely to understand and respond to patients' needs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK. Electronic address: g.yeowell@mmu.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yeowell
mesh_terms: D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036301:Qualitative Research; D044465:White People; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Black and Minority Ethnic groups; Ethnic diversity; Physiotherapy; Qualitative