Question

The terms diversity and inclusion have a number of definitions and concepts associated with them. In your own words, define the terms diversity and inclusion. There are numerous benefits and advantages of having a diverse workplace environment, especially in healthcare. Discuss in detail two benefits or advantages to having a diverse and inclusive workforce environment and how each improves patient experience and outcomes. Lastly, identify and describe a situation that you might encounter in your role as an allied healthcare provider where it would be necessary to exhibit and display diversity awareness skills and knowledge to resolve the situation that is beneficially for everyone involved. This situation might be between you and patient or a coworker. Make sure you discuss why diversity awareness skills and knowledge would be necessary to resolve the situation. Your paper should be 3-4 pages in length and be in APA formatting.

Answer 1

Diversity and inclusion are words heard frequently in healthcare. They must be woven into the very fabric of healthcare organizations striving to build diverse workforces to meet the needs of the diverse populations they serve. They must be part of hiring practices, employee orientations, patient care, strategic planning and more.

Most often thought of in terms of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or age, diversity also includes cultural practices, socioeconomic status, educational background, generational differences and more.

Organizations have embraced diversity and made it part of their mission and vision statements and core values, not because of laws or mandates, but because it the right thing to do for staff, patients and the community. We’ve grown in many ways when it comes to diversity, but still need more emphasis on cultural diversity and diversity in leadership. Inclusion is an important and somewhat newer aspect of diversity. Simply put, inclusion is not just being present, but being part of things. Now seen as a much-needed addition to healthcare’s work on diversity, inclusion underscores that when we hire someone from a diverse group we do so because we want what he or she offers, not because we have a certain employee mix to meet. When we include someone, we’re saying we value that person and his or her contribution

The importance of inclusion in diversity

Diversity has been proven to work well in strong, healthy workplace environments, but it can thrive when inclusion is part of it. Healthcare organizations have found diversity and inclusion work together well. Johnson & Johnson believes diversity is "all backgrounds, beliefs and the entire range of human experience — coming together" and inclusion is "about a culture where you are valued," and I agree. Our professional organizations promote both. For instance, the National League for Nursing believes quality healthcare and diversity are "inseparable.” And according to its living document on diversity and meaningful inclusion, the organization is "committed to educating nurses who value the differences in others and inclusion of them to help advance the health of the nation and the global community.” We’ve come a long way, but our work is not done. Over time, we’ve seen organizational change coming from diversity and inclusion. We’ve moved from working on numbers and mixes to recognizing the value of the people behind them. And this is a key point.

It’s not enough to focus on what organizations can do for diverse employees; organizations must understand and appreciate what diverse employees can do for them. Making diversity and inclusion priorities has created new opportunities for professionals from diverse groups; it has increased access to care for diverse populations; it has improved care quality for many patients and it is changing the face of our healthcare system.