Developing an Online Education Resource to Enhance Physical Therapists' Use of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Other Related Identities Affirming Care: A Mixed Methods Study.

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate an evidence-based, clinically relevant, and user-friendly eLearning resource to facilitate the provision of safe and affirming physical therapy services for individuals with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other related identities or experiences (LGBTQIA+).

Review of literature: When accessing physical therapy, individuals who are LGBTQIA+ can experience assumptions, discrimination, discomfort, and encounter health professionals who lack knowledge about LGBTQIA+ health.

Subjects: Nine consumers and end-users participated in codesign and 20 physical therapists (evaluated the resource).

Methods: A 2-phase, experience-based codesign approach was used. In phase 1, a needs assessment and 3 iterative codesign workshops were conducted to inform curriculum design and delivery. In phase 2, a purposive sample of physical therapists were invited to evaluate the structure, content, and delivery of the resource using mixed methods. Ease of use, usefulness, relevance to physical therapy, and shifts in confidence are reported descriptively using qualitative content analysis and frequencies.

Results: Six learning modules were developed: LGBTQIA+ health in Australia, Key terminology, Inclusive communication, Inclusive spaces, LGBTQIA+ specific health needs, and Resources and support. Twenty physical therapists (90% women; 25% LGBTQIA+) evaluated the resource and almost all (95%) indicated the resource was easy to navigate, included sufficient detail of appropriate complexity, was a good length, and took an appropriate amount of time to navigate. Many participants felt the resource influenced their understanding of LGBTQIA+ health concerns and level of empathy (85%) but fewer felt more confident in their ability to appropriately engage with members of the LGBTQIA+ community (75%).

Discussion and conclusion: The codesigned LGBTQIA+ Affirming Physical Therapy resource is likely to be a useful resource for physical therapists, which may influence their understanding of LGBTQIA+ health, levels of empathy, and confidence working with the LGBTQIA+ community.