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Author: Sarah Luna, PT, DPT

Sarah Luna, PT, DPT is an Associate Professor in the School of Physical Therapy at University of the Incarnate Word. She graduated from Texas State University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science degree and received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Regis University in 2004. She has a specialty certification in Geriatrics through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists and has 17 years of experience in acute care and hospital-based outpatient physical therapy. Dr. Luna’s research interests include humanities, ethics, and professionalism in physical therapy education, as well as longevity in the workforce. Dr. Luna currently serves on the leadership committee of the Consortium for the Humanities, Ethics, and Professionalism within the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy.

Humanities Instruction in Physical Therapy Education to Cultivate Empathy, Recognize Implicit Bias, and Enhance Communication: A Case Series

This article strives to encourage the use of humanities within physical therapy education and practice by offering examples of three health humanities-based instructional activities, including two implemented at US universities. “As curricular models in physical therapy education evolve,” the author notes, “the importance of humanities-based instruction to develop empathetic physical therapists should be considered and implemented, as it will not only benefit future patients, but the field of physical therapy as well.”