Breaking down barriers: Supporting underrepresented groups in osteopathic training
UrGEnT: overcoming barriers for underrepresented groups in osteopathic training
The osteopathic profession needs to be able to work with all of today’s diverse population of patients. This means that, whilst training future osteopaths, we need to ensure that underrepresented student groups are not disadvantaged, and the all students are culturally aware.
The Underrepresented Groups’ Experiences in Osteopathic Training (UrGEnT) project is a mixed methods study of equality, diversity, inclusivity and sense of belonging. It explored experiences of underrepresented students (women, students with disabilities, students from minority ethnic backgrounds and LGBTQIA+ students) in osteopathic education across the UK. UrGEnT aimed to assess cultural awareness among osteopathic students and evaluate their preparedness to work with diverse patient populations, while investigating barriers to equality and inclusion in osteopathic educational environments.
Research goals
The UrGEnt project aimed to explore awareness of cultural diversity and beliefs about patients from underrepresented groups in current osteopathic educational environments. It evaluated students’ preparedness to manage patients from diverse groups, while at the same time investigating the educational experiences of students from underrepresented backgrounds during their training. The project assessed levels of cultural humility among osteopathic students using the Multidimensional Cultural Humility Scale (MCHS).
Using these insights, the UrGEnt team set out to develop recommendations for action and change to support better levels of recruitment and achievement.
Team and collaborators
Dr Jerry Draper-Rodi (UCO School of Osteopathy (Health Sciences University)) is the project’s principal investigator. He is supported by:
- Prof Hilary Abbey – UCO School of Osteopathy (HSU)
- Prof John Hammond – Canterbury Christ Church University
- Dr Oliver Thomson – UCO School of Osteopathy (HSU)
- Dr Kevin Brownhill – UCO School of Osteopathy (HSU)
- Mr Andrew MacMillan – UCO School of Osteopathy (HSU)& University of Portsmouth
- Ms Yinka Fabusuyi – UCO School of Osteopathy (HSU)
- Prof Steven Vogel – UCO School of Osteopathy (HSU)
The project is also supported by the following external partners:
- All seven UK osteopathic educational providers (OEPs)
- General Osteopathic Council
- Institute of Osteopathy
- Osteopathic Foundation
- NHS representatives
- Health Education England
Key findings / progress
The UrGEnT survey received a response from 202 participants across all seven UK osteopathic educational providers. 53% of respondents identified with at least one underrepresented group, with 16% reporting being treated differently because of their cultural background or identity. However, 79% of those who experienced differential treatment did not report it to their institution.
In the project focus group, two main themes were identified. The first of these was institutional contextual obstacles, including 4 sub-themes: faculties’ lack of awareness and knowledge; lack of institutional support and unclear complaint processes; negative student attitudes; and lack of representation in the curriculum and the student body.
The second main theme was underrepresented students’ conceptual understanding of equality, diversion and inclusion (EDI). This has 3 sub-themes: the definition of discrimination (distinguishing between ‘othering’ and ‘intent’); the advocacy role of underrepresented students; and underrepresented students’ better understanding of EDI compared to peers and faculty.
UrGEnT workshops have generated recommendations across three areas:
- Staff education and training
- Student support improvements
- Institutional policy clarification
Funding and support
The project received total funding of £38,000, broken down as:
- The Osteopathic Foundation: £20,000
- General Osteopathic Council: £7,500
- UCO School of Osteopathy (HSU): £7,500
- Institute of Osteopathy: £3,000
Impact and applications
The UrGEnT project has confirmed the need for urgent staff education on equality, diversity and inclusion, and provided an evidence base for institutional policy changes in osteopathic education. Specific recommendations for creating more inclusive educational environments have been generated, and the project is contributing to broader healthcare education diversity initiatives, including aligned findings with General Medical Council targets for eliminating disadvantage in healthcare education.
Media and publications
Journal publication:
- Draper-Rodi et al. BMC Medical Education (2024) 24:468
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05404-3
Research dissemination:
- Interactive workshop forum held April 6, 2023 (approximately 70 attendees)
- Multiple interested-party workshops conducted
- Community engagement meetings with underrepresented student groups
Get involved
Leading on from the UrGEnT project, further research opportunities have emerged. These include the deeper research needed on impact of cultural humility training in healthcare education and an investigation into the effectiveness of EDI policy implementation.
There are also opportunities for longitudinal studies on student experiences and outcomes, and cross-profession comparative studies, such as physiotherapy, chiropractic and other manual therapies.
Collaboration with the project is invited through the implementation of recommendations within osteopathic educational institutions, and the development of EDI training programmes for healthcare educators generally. Institutions could also use the project findings to develop active bystander training programmes and make improvements to student support systems.
Students who want to get involved could participate in ongoing EDI initiatives, contribute to curriculum development to better reflect social diversity, and get involved with peer support and mentoring programmes.
