The best approach to understanding diversity is to be open-minded and to learn about different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. This can be done through reading, talking to people from different backgrounds, and traveling. It is also important to be self-aware of your own biases and to challenge them.
One way to understand diversity is through the lens of intersectionality. Intersectionality recognizes that people experience discrimination in multiple ways, and that these experiences overlap and interact. For example, a Black woman may experience discrimination based on her race and gender, and a disabled person may experience discrimination based on their disability and their sexual orientation.
Another way to understand diversity is through the lens of cultural competence. Cultural competence is the ability to understand and respect the cultural values, beliefs, and practices of others. It is important for healthcare professionals to be culturally competent in order to provide the best possible care to all patients.
To what extent should the healthcare organization/professional accommodate?
The extent to which a healthcare organization or professional should accommodate diversity depends on a number of factors, including the resources available, the needs of the patient, and the potential impact on other patients and staff.
For example, a healthcare organization may not be able to provide interpreters for all languages, but it should make an effort to accommodate patients who do not speak English. This may involve providing written materials in multiple languages, using video interpreters, or working with community organizations to provide interpreters.
Healthcare professionals should also be flexible in their approach to care. For example, a Muslim patient may prefer to be examined by a female healthcare professional. A healthcare professional should respect this preference and arrange for a female colleague to examine the patient if possible.
Do you believe there are specific categories of diversity that must be recognized? What are they and why?
I believe that there are a number of specific categories of diversity that must be recognized in healthcare. These categories include:
- Race and ethnicity: People from different racial and ethnic backgrounds have different health needs and experiences. For example, Black Americans have higher rates of heart disease, stroke, and cancer than white Americans.
- Gender: Men and women have different health needs and experiences. For example, women are more likely to experience depression and post-traumatic stress disorder than men.
- Sexual orientation and gender identity: LGBTQ people face discrimination in healthcare and often have difficulty finding culturally competent care.
- Disability: People with disabilities have different health needs and experiences. For example, people with disabilities may have difficulty accessing healthcare facilities or finding providers who are knowledgeable about their needs.
- Age: People of different ages have different health needs and experiences. For example, older adults are more likely to experience chronic health conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease.
It is important to recognize these specific categories of diversity because they can impact people’s health and access to care. By recognizing these categories, healthcare organizations and professionals can work to provide better care to all patients.
Do you believe the difference in defining diversity is within the lived experience of the patient?
Yes, I believe that the difference in defining diversity is within the lived experience of the patient. This is because diversity is a complex and multifaceted concept. There is no one definition of diversity that will capture the experiences of all people.
For example, a person with a disability may define diversity differently than a person of color. A person from a religious minority may define diversity differently than a person from a non-religious background. It is important to respect the way that each individual defines diversity.
How to support diversity in healthcare
There are a number of ways that healthcare organizations and professionals can support diversity. These include:
- Hiring a diverse workforce: Healthcare organizations should strive to hire a workforce that reflects the diversity of the population they serve. This will help to ensure that all patients feel welcome and respected.
- Providing cultural competency training: Healthcare professionals should receive training on cultural competence. This training should teach them about different cultures, values, and beliefs. It should also teach them how to provide culturally competent care.
- Creating a welcoming environment: Healthcare organizations should create a welcoming environment for all patients, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or age. This can be done by using inclusive language and signage, and by providing accommodations for patients with disabilities.
- Collecting data on diversity: Healthcare organizations should collect data on diversity. This data can be used to identify areas where improvements are needed.
By taking these steps, healthcare organizations and professionals can create a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system for all patients.
