National Benchmarks to Understand How Doctor of Physical Therapy Learners From Minoritized Race and Ethnicity Groups Perceive Their Physical Therapist Education Program.

The study relies on self-reported perceptions, which may not accurately reflect actual competency or objective program quality. Data was aggregated across institutions to protect privacy, preventing analysis of specific program-level factors. Intersectionality (e.g., race combined with gender or socioeconomic status) was not analyzed due to sample size constraints. The study did not track whether students with high debt and burnout ultimately entered underserved communities or left the profession.

Funding was provided by the University of Iowa Health Care Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, the Academy of Education, and the American Physical Therapy Association. The funders played no role in the design, conduct, or reporting of the study.

Do not interpret lower self-rated preparedness as evidence of actual clinical incompetence. The authors note that these self-ratings may reflect imposter phenomenon or reduced confidence rather than a lack of objective skill.