Diversity of the Healthcare
Workforce Kimberly Baptiste
Liberty University
People are all different, they are all unique in their own way. This is what makes society so
unique, however, when it comes down to it, we are one. Diversity in healthcare is not a new
term and stems way beyond the typical issue of having language barrier. According to
(Cskopecce, 2018 p.1) “medicine is a highly homogenous field serving diverse population…….
it’s about understanding the mindset of a patient within larger context of culture, gender, sexual
orientation, religious beliefs and socioeconomic realities.” When this is not present the quality
of care is then affected, medical professionals who practices a standardized form of medicine is
placed in a workforce to care for a range of diverse patients. This now creates health disparities
because everyone is unique one way of caring for patient X is not the same way to care for
patient Y and so the treatment for each patient can vary. In essence in order for everyone to get
equal treatment the healthcare industry needs a diverse workforce in so as to serve the growing
diverse patient population.
(Jordan, 2020), in her article spoke about the benefits of diversity in the workplace and
specifically in healthcare. She noted that having a diverse employee pool has numerous benefits
for employers, staff and patients. These are but is not limited to:
•Higher employee morale- this helps to provide a feeling of inclusion and community.
When an employee feels like they are a part of a team they tend to feel safer and enjoy
their jobs.
•Better care for diverse population- no matter who walks through the doors seeking
medical attention having a diverse staff to treat them and to identify with them can help
to serve the needs of these individuals.
•Better problem solving- when people from different backgrounds and walk of life are in
a situation where an issue needs to be solved in this case patient care new ideas from a
diverse group can have a greater impact on innovation and the success of the
organization.
In order to address the issue of diversity in the health care industry and the impact it has and
can have organizations must take into account that the society we live in is made up of different
people who has a unique set of beliefs and cultures both religious and non-religious, who deals
with illnesses differently, doesn’t speak the same language and might not use the same form of
medicine for treatment. Putting in place initiatives or strategies to deal with such issues when
they rise is vital. According to (Jackson & Garcia, 2014 p. 57), “strengthening the nations’
health by improving the diversity of the health and human services workforce calls for a
multipronged approach that adopts an understanding of the social determinants of health, applies
community-level engagement as a core principle and emphasizes cultural and linguistic
competency in health and health care.” With that being said having a goal of cultural competence
established within the health-care system can help reduce the disparities that exists. When an
employee is able to function and provide effective treatment and care for patients who are
culturally different then the quality of health care received has been proven to improve
drastically. If the healthcare system continues to introduce such strategies in its workforce the
issue of communication barriers with persons who speak little or no English can be addressed,
the racial and ethnic diversity of the workforce can also help provide the quality of care that
minorities needs and deserve. By practicing a cultural competence approach to the disparities
that exist the cultural awareness in the health care delivery system can be curtailed by supporting
the variety of values and beliefs that exists and heightening the cultural awareness in the industry
(Jackson & Garcia). Being culturally competent does not happen overnight, it cannot be
thought just by reading books and going to lectures. One must practice and be placed in an
environment in which a diverse set of people are and in which the medical professional will
serve. (Cohen, Gabriel, & Terrell, 2002 p. 92) states, “only by encountering and interacting
with individuals from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds can students transcend their own
viewpoints and see them through the eyes of others.” Many hospitals and medical organizations
have implemented programs which will allow for a multicultural environment by having junior
employees train and develop into future leaders. By doing this the diverse set of patients who
enters the doors to seek treatment can be better served and cared for. Representation of the
sundry of communities that are serves is present and people can now feel welcomed and safe
knowing that they are being cared for by people who relates to them, who understands their
beliefs and way of life and can give them the treatment they require (Livingston, 2018).
Healthcare diversity is vital to the success of the industry. Many barriers exist and it is up to
us to reduce or have this issue be non-existent. It is not something that will happen
instantaneously but something that must be developed and nurtured. There must be a conscious
decision to have inclusivity of cultural awareness in the workplace and to make it mandatory for
coworkers to learn about each other, to work through the personal biases that may exist and to be
open about different opinions and people. This way the patients will reap the benefits and be
provided with the necessary acre that they need (Jordan, 2020). Luke 13:29 says “And they
shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit
down in the kingdom of God.” This verse reflects the diversity that needs to exist and is
becoming existent within the healthcare system. People will come from all walks of life,
different belief systems, look different, speak different but at the end of it all it does not matter
what one looks like, believe or speak we will all sit down with God at the end of it all.
Reference
Cskopecce. (2018, December 17). The importance of diversity in health care: Medical
professionals weigh in. Retrieved October 26, 2020, from
https://www.sgu.edu/blog/medical/pros-discuss-the-importance-of-diversity-in-health-care
Jordan, A. (2020, June 30). The importance of diversity in healthcare & how to promote it.
Retrieved October 26, 2020, from https://www.provocollege.edu/blog/the-importance-of-
diversity-in-healthcare-how-to-promote-it/
Jackson, C. S., & Garcia, J. N. (2014). Addressing health and health-care disparities: The role of
a diverse workforce and the social determinants of health. Public Health Reports, 129(1_suppl2),
57-61. doi:10.1177/00333549141291s211
Cohen, J. J., Gabriel, B. A., & Terrell, C. (2002). The case for diversity in the health care
workforce. Health Affairs, 21(5), 90-102. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.21.5.90
Livingston, S. (2018, October 13). Fostering diversity for the next generation of healthcare
leaders. Modern Health. Retrieved October 27, 2020, from
https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20181013/NEWS/181019970/fostering-diversity-for-
the-next-generation-of-healthcare- leaders
