Question

Write a paper (1,000-1,250 words) that addresses the impact diversity has on health care, and the changes that occur to support diverse populations. Include the following:

Define diversity. Explain how diverse demographics influence the health care industry. Consider culture, gender, religion and spirituality, and social and economic status.

Define the meaning of cultural competence and the role it plays in organizational behavior.

What is meant by the term "diversity management"? How have changes in U.S. demographics impacted the health care industry, diversity of customers, and diversity within the organization itself?

How does understanding diversity support awareness, empathy, and understanding with a community? How does it support a national and global community?

Answer 1

Diversity in an organization, or otherwise, may be defined as the differing composition of any organization's (institution's) population based upon personal traits like age, gender, race, caste, ethnic group, religion etc. A truly diverse organization has a complete mix of all types of people and doesn't differentiate among the people on the basis of their appearances.

One of the biggest responsibilities of any healthcare provider is to put their patients at ease. Different diverse demographic groups in terms of religion, gender, culture etc. have different ways in which they feel comfortable, and for this purpose it is important to have a workforce that is diverse. A judaist woman patient would like to get treated by some doctor who knows about ways and precautions that needs to be taken before treatment to maintain Judaist culture. Similarly, a muslim woman would like the services of a person who draws curtain before any type of treatment.

Gender wise too a woman would most likely be more comfortable with a female gynaecologist than with a male one. Hence, it is always important to have diversity if you are in healthcare industry.

Cultural competence can be described as the ability of a person to interact effectively with the people of different culture. It includes being aware of your and others culture, and being tolerant towards the overall worldview.

The overall requirements of a job these days is pretty diverse and no one ever knows what might come. If under such circumstances, a person is not culturally adaptable, he can end up on the wrong side of the table easily. One can not simply walk into China without knowing their tradition and hence is a very important thing.

Diversity management refers to the activity of supporting different lifestyles and habits in a confined group effectively. This not only includes handling them properly but also educating them to be more culturally open.