DEI intersects with the biopsychosocial model because?

• A. Social determinants of health (racism, poverty, discrimination, lack of access) are Social-sector factors — DEI issues directly affect health outcomes and must be addressed in PT practice.
• B. DEI has no relation to health outcomes.
• C. DEI is only about language translation.
• D. DEI concerns are limited to staffing.

Answer: (A)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is tied to the biopsychosocial approach because social determinants of health—like racism, poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to care—shape a person’s health outcomes alongside biological and psychological factors. In physical therapy, recognizing these influences means understanding that a patient’s pain, function, and recovery are not determined by biology alone but are filtered through their social context and lived experiences. When DEI barriers exist—such as biased treatment, language obstacles, or limited transportation—they can reduce access to care, affect trust and engagement, and hinder adherence to therapy, ultimately impacting outcomes. So DEI issues directly affect health outcomes and must be addressed within PT practice to provide equitable, effective care. The other ideas are too narrow: DEI is not just about language translation or staffing, and it does relate to how well patients recover and function.