Inclusive Communication in Healthcare: Strategies for Special Populations

Inclusive, Ethical, and Effective Communication for Healthcare Professionals

Course Description:
This focused  online physiotherapy course equips physiotherapists and healthcare professionals with practical, inclusive communication strategies for working with special populations. Learners will explore barriers faced by neurodivergent individuals, linguistically diverse patients, and those with sensory, cognitive, or emotional challenges. Through evidence-based techniques—such as plain language, active listening, and visual supports—participants will learn to adapt their communication style to enhance understanding, engagement, and therapeutic rapport.

The physiotherapy  course integrates ICF-informed and trauma-aware principles, and aligns with HCPC, CSP, and NICE standards for ethical and culturally sensitive practice. Reflective exercises support learners in identifying areas for improvement and applying inclusive strategies across diverse clinical settings.

This online physiotherapy cpd course equips physiotherapists and healthcare providers with practical, evidence-based strategies to communicate effectively with patients from diverse and vulnerable populations. Learn to adapt your approach, overcome barriers, and uphold professional standards in every interaction.

 Course Overview

Special populations—including neurodivergent individuals, linguistically diverse patients, and those with sensory, cognitive, or emotional challenges—often face communication barriers that impact care. This course empowers you to:

• Define inclusive communication and identify common barriers in clinical settings
• Apply plain language, active listening, and visual supports to enhance understanding
• Adapt communication for neurodivergence, multilingual needs, and sensory/cognitive variation
• Demonstrate ethical, culturally sensitive communication aligned with HCPC, CSP, and NICE standards
• Reflect on your own style using ICF-informed and trauma-aware principles

CPD Hours

1 hour

What You’ll Gain

• Downloadable PowerPoint slides for reference and teaching
• CPD certificate upon completion
• Immediate strategies for improving patient rapport and outcomes

 Who Should Enroll

• Physiotherapists in MSK, neuro, paediatrics, and community care
• Allied health professionals working with diverse or complex caseloads
• Students and educators seeking inclusive, standards-aligned communication tools

Course Presenter

Dr. Rina Pandya PT DPT FHEA PGLTHE

Dr. Rina Pandya is a highly experienced physical therapist with a diverse international background. She earned her entry-level degree from the School of Allied Health Sciences Manipal, India, and her post-professional doctoral degree from the University of Michigan-Flint.

With extensive clinical experience across India, Oman, the UK, and the USA, Dr. Pandya brings a rich, global perspective to her teaching. Her leadership roles in rehabilitation management and commitment to lifelong learning are reflected in her credentials, including a Fellowship in Higher Education (FHEA) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (PGLTHE).

Her evidence-informed teaching and practical insights empower clinicians to improve diagnostic precision and deliver high-quality patient care.

Disclaimer: Our online physiotherapy CPD courses meet the criteria and guidelines for CPD (Continuing Professional Development). The CPD hours indicated on the certificate contribute towards fulfilling professional standards and requirements necessary for CPD audits conducted by the HCPC and AHPRA. These CPD hours are important for maintaining physiotherapy registration and ensuring compliance with the CPD audit and physiotherapy registration renewal processes. Our courses are recognized as valuable continuing education resources across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and throughout Asia and the Middle East.