The Significance of Diversity and Inclusion in the Health Care Setting

Overview

This Canadian Physiotherapy Association course explores the significance of diversity and inclusion (D&I) in healthcare, with a focus on creating more equitable, culturally responsive, and effective clinical environments.

Through a combination of personal narratives, research evidence, and practical frameworks, the presenters examine how systemic inequities, implicit bias, and underrepresentation impact both patient care and professional opportunities within healthcare. The course introduces key concepts such as cultural competency and cultural humility, emphasizing the importance of ongoing self-reflection, awareness of power dynamics, and meaningful partnership with patients and communities.

Clinicians will gain actionable strategies to foster inclusive environments in both clinical practice and organizational leadership, while also understanding the broader social and business implications of diversity in healthcare settings.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Differentiate between cultural competency and cultural humility in healthcare practice
2. Recognize how systemic inequities and power imbalances influence patient care and access
3. Identify gaps in representation and leadership within healthcare professions
4. Understand the impact of implicit bias on clinical decision-making
5. Evaluate the difference between tokenism and authentic inclusion
6. Apply practical strategies to foster diversity and inclusion within teams and organizations
7. Incorporate culturally responsive approaches into patient interactions and care planning

Audience

This course is designed for healthcare professionals and leaders, including:

• Physiotherapists
• Chiropractors
• Occupational Therapists
• Clinic owners and managers
• Healthcare administrators and team leads

It is particularly valuable for clinicians and organizations seeking to build more inclusive practices, improve patient trust, and strengthen team culture.

Why This Course Matters

Healthcare outcomes are deeply influenced by social, cultural, and systemic factors. This course equips clinicians with the awareness and tools needed to address these realities in meaningful ways.

• Improve patient care: Culturally responsive care leads to better communication, trust, and outcomes
• Address inequities: Understand and reduce barriers faced by underrepresented populations
• Strengthen teams: Inclusive workplaces foster collaboration, retention, and innovation
• Move beyond surface-level D&I: Learn how to avoid tokenism and build authentic inclusion
• Drive organizational success: Diverse teams are linked to greater innovation and performance

By shifting from a static understanding of diversity to an ongoing practice of cultural humility, clinicians can provide more equitable and effective care.

About the Presenters

Jessie Wong graduated from UBC and has been working in private practice as a physiotherapist since 2011. She is a partner of several Myodetox locations in Vancouver and is currently the Regional Director of Myodetox Vancouver. Jessie helps lead the operations and development in Vancouver with a team that is expanding to 100+. As a team leader, Jessie is passionate about representation and inclusion in the growing workplace.

Dr. Kevin Marryshow is a 2012 graduate of New York's Chiropractic College. He has been in private practice for eight years now and is currently the Acting Toronto Regional Director of Myodetox. Myodetox is a lifestyle therapy brand with multidisciplinary clinics across Toronto, Vancouver, and California. As a health care provider from the Black community, Dr. Marryshow has recognized the lack of representation of the BBIPOC community in therapy. Dr. Marryshow and his team at Myodetox have since launched the Myodetox Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program. This program’s purpose is to educate and create access that helps Black leaders in the therapy space create a better future.