Despite the progress that has been made in addressing the issue of racial and cultural diversity in the healthcare workforce, there is still a lack of diversity among professionals in the United States. Healthcare organizations must take the necessary steps to improve the representation of people of all backgrounds in their workforce.
Doing so can have a positive impact on the organization and its patients. It can also help improve the cultural and racial diversity within its communities.
Context
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the existing racial and cultural disparities in the healthcare industry. Due to the seriousness of the situation, healthcare administrators must develop cultural competency. This can be done through developing effective communication skills and using social movements to address systemic issues.
Benefits
Having a diverse workforce can also have a positive impact on the quality of care that patients receive. It can help improve the cultural and racial diversity within the organization’s communities in the following ways:
Comfort: Studies have shown that having a diverse training program can help improve the comfort levels of healthcare providers when dealing with patients from different backgrounds.
Values: A diverse workforce can also help improve understanding of patients’ and colleagues’ various beliefs and values.
Communication: Not only can having a diverse workforce improve the communication skills of healthcare providers, but it can also help improve the quality of care for patients. The limited English proficiency can lead to higher errors and worse clinical outcomes.
Trust: One of the most critical factors that can improve patient’s quality of care is their trust in their doctor. A study conducted by Stanford University revealed that African-American men were more likely to seek preventive services from Black doctors than from non-Black doctors.
Competence: A diverse workforce and cultural competence can help improve patients’ healthcare quality. It can also help prevent healthcare disparities and improve the outcomes of patients in diverse communities.
Takeaway
Healthcare organizations must commit to increasing the number of people from different backgrounds in their workforce. This can help improve the quality of care and prevent healthcare disparities. In addition, making higher education more accessible to people from different backgrounds can also help reduce the barriers that prevent them from achieving their goals.