Diversity In Healthcare

Increasing diversity in the United States has had an impact on the delivery of many services. This holds especially true with regard to the field of health care. In today’s increasingly diverse society, it is important we address the cultural needs of each and every patient while delivering care. In order to accomplish this, we must first better understand diversity and its implications. Once we better understand the issue, we will be better equipped to address these concerns and ensure quality care for each and every patient. The United States today does not look the way it did one hundred years ago. In fact, according to the 2000 Census, African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics and Alaskan Natives accounted for roughly 30%
increases, so too will the diversity of patients presenting for medical care. (Betancourt, Green, Carrillo, & Park, 2005). Unfortunately, this often results in health care disparities, or gaps in the rate of disease occurrences, quality of care and mortality rates for minority patients. (Buchbinder & Shanks, 2012). To better address the needs of today’s diverse population, it is important that health care managers and medical providers practice cultural competence. In order to achieve this, health care executives and physicians will need to be knowledgeable and attentive to the needs of those with differing cultural backgrounds. (DeRosa & Kochurcka, 2006). This practice of cultural competence will need to be applied with regard to staff as well as patients. By fostering a diverse workforce and culturally proficient care for minorities, a health care executive will better ensure success of the practice. (Clapp,
However, different cultural practices give rise to different perceptions of the quality of medical care received. For this reason, patients from a differing cultural background may depart from a medical encounter feeling disrespected and patronized. Though this is not the intent, in order to minimize such occurrences, providers need to be both aware and sensitive to the perceptions of other cultures. For example, individuals from diverse cultures may contrast in their methods of seeking an appropriate medical provider, seeking medical care and attention, receiving health-related information and applying it to their daily lives. (Smith, 1998). Additionally, the ymay differ in the way they perceive certain behaviors. Failure of medical staff to be aware of these differences can result in the unintentional alienation of patients. For example, silence in one culture may viewed as an utmost sign of respect. In other cultures, however, this may be perceived as a “no” answer or as a sign of disrespect. Similarly, there may be different perceptions of the use or abuse of personal space. For example, standing too close may be seen as an invasion of personal space by some and, in others, an indication of familiarity and comfortability. (DeRosa & Kochurcka, 2006). Though these examples only represent a very minor few differences in the perception of body language and communication, it should serve as a clear