On Merit and Equity in Admission to US Physical Therapist Education Programs: A Qualitative Analysis of Faculty Habitus

Abstract

Introduction. In contrast to the increased diversity of the US population, historically excluded racial and ethnic groups remain underrepresented in the physical therapist profession. As decision-makers, faculty exert direct influence on enrollment through evaluating applications and determining which applicants are deserving of admission to physical therapist programs. Review of Literature. Faculty decision-making in admissions is a cultural process which can reproduce inequities and perpetuate underrepresentation if faculty fail to recognize systemic disparities in legitimized forms of merit. No studies within physical therapist education have directly investigated faculty habitus and patterns of thought and behavior which reinforce admissions decision-making. The purpose of this study was to describe patterns of faculty habitus which influence judgments of admission merit and equity in US physical therapist education programs. Subjects. Sixteen physical therapy faculty across 3 physical therapist education programs. Methods. Using interpretative research methodology and a constructivist approach, semistructured interviews were conducted with each participant. Faculty social actions were also observed during field observations. Thematic analysis using Bourdieu's social reproduction theory was used for coding and establishment of themes. Results. Two predominant patterns of faculty habitus with corresponding themes emerged from the data: Transformative habitus oriented faculty toward a sense of responsibility to promote equity, construct a more contextualized understanding of merit, and formulate compelling applicant storylines; gatekeeping habitus positioned faculty to support a meritocratic process, reinforce traditional notions of academic rigor, and support the necessity of adjusting standards to address underrepresentation. Discussion and Conclusion. Findings revealed contrasting patterns of faculty habitus which legitimized certain criteria, knowledge, and experiences on which decisions of merit were based. Attention to the individual dispositions of faculty decision-makers in addition to criteria and processes used in holistic review may shape equitable access to physical therapist education programs.