Life as a black physiotherapist

Being a qualified clinician now for two years, at times I still experience ‘imposter syndrome.’

Although I’ve never let my race define who I am or limit my opportunities, the reality remains globally, racism is rife. Describing my lived experiences thus far would run to several pages. What I’d say to others is push hard for what you believe in and what you feel will be important to help create change.

What are you doing to change and improve inequality, diversity and inclusion? Not just within physiotherapy, but more importantly, our local communities, to improve health inequalities and to inspire the next generation to become physiotherapists and other allied health professionals. 

Following the harrowing and extremely distressing death of George Floyd in May, my trust executives called for BAME representation as an open forum to discuss feelings, experiences and the Covid-19 impact on BAME communities.

I have subsequently accepted a reverse mentoring opportunity with my trust’s deputy CEO and have recently been given the role of communications lead for the trust’s BAME network.

My career-path did not follow the usual route into physiotherapy. It began with a degree in sports rehabilitation, feeding a passion routed in health promotion and exercise prescription, which I still endorse heavily today.

I’ve always strived to be the best version of myself and as I mature within my career I realise I’ve had to work incredibly hard to fit into a predominantly ‘white middle-class profession’ and not be labelled as the ‘aggressive black male.’

I would ask you to think about the following to help improve our profession and wider communities, especially those from a BAME background. What are you doing to change and improve inequality, diversity and inclusion?

Not just within physiotherapy, but more importantly, our local communities, to improve health inequalities and to inspire the next generation to become physiotherapists and other allied health professionals. 

• Warren Caffrey is an MSK physiotherapist at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Trust