In this episode, Dr. Steve Gard, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, speaks with Amandi Rhett, MS, CPO, LPO, FAAOP, assistant professor in the Baylor College of Medicine Orthotics and Prosthetics Program and assistant dean of community health at the college’s School of Health Professions, about the impact of microaggressions in healthcare and efforts to address them within the orthotics and prosthetics profession. Rhett explains how subtle verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights directed toward marginalized groups can affect workplace culture, clinician-patient relationships, and patient outcomes. Drawing from her own experiences and recognizing a lack of O&P-specific training in this area, she and her coauthors developed an interactive workshop using real-world scenarios to help clinicians identify and respond to microaggressions. The conversation explores examples such as mispronouncing ethnic names, assumptions about patient behavior, and misuse of pronouns, along with the workshop’s early results, which showed increased participant confidence and awareness. Rhett also discusses the study’s limitations, future plans to expand the training, and the importance of fostering more inclusive and respectful healthcare environments.

Show notes

JPO article: Examining the Impact of Microaggressions in Healthcare and the Efficacy of Microaggressions Education in Orthotics and Prosthetics

O&P Research Insights is produced by Association Briefings.