Organizations Should Institute Diversity and Cultural Competence

Healthcare organizations should consider hiring a diverse workforce that reflects the changing demographics of the community it serves in order to build a culturally competent healthcare team.

What does it mean to have a diverse team? What is cultural competency and how does it factor into the workplace?

Let’s look at the demographics. By 2060, the U.S. Census Bureau predicts, the number of international immigrants is expected to grow by 41.2 million, and ‘minorities,’ those who are not of white European descent, will make up 57{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of the overall population, representing a 20{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} increase from today. Furthermore, the aging population (65 and older) is expected to double to 92 million, which will inevitably impact access to healthcare, as this cohort tends to be the highest consumers of care.

Over the decades, what is encapsulated within the definition of diversity has evolved as society and ideologies have shifted. Typically, when we think of diversity, we envision those of different racial, ethnic, and/or religious backgrounds. However, now that the definition is more inclusive of life experiences that help shape an individual’s beliefs, we must also consider factors such as socioeconomic determinants of health, age, and sexual orientation.

Similar to diversity, the term ‘cultural competence’ has no single definition, but refers to a general sentiment of individuals demonstrating behaviors and attitudes that enable them to work cross-culturally. This developmental process is evolutionary as individuals gain higher levels of awareness and knowledge related to culture, diversity, and acceptance. The National Center for Cultural Competence states that culturally competent organizations have the capacity to value diversity, conduct self-assessment, manage the dynamics of difference, acquire and institutionalize cultural knowledge, and adapt to diversity and the cultural contexts of communities they serve.

A diverse workforce is a strategy for acquiring a better understanding of the community that fosters greater insights and promotes better health outcomes. Patients benefit by feeling more at ease and will participate more in their own care if their healthcare setting is a representation and extension of their community. The various perspectives — knowledge and life experiences — epitomized within a diverse workforce can add profound value toward resolving problems, as a staff is more attuned to the needs of the population.

Organizations that would like to develop and enhance their cultural competency and diversity should consider the following:

• Incorporate diversity within the mission, vision, and values. The mission, vision, and values of an organization personify what the organization stands for, help to set the course of work that will be accomplished, and set expectations for employees. Indicating that diversity is a primary value for an organization by including it in the mission, vision, and values statements hardwires their importance to your group.

• Know your neighborhood and its needs. Taking the time to get out of the office and engage in dialogue with community members will allow you to get a better sense of your community’s healthcare needs and align efforts internally to achieve the most positive impact for the community and for your patients. Consider identifying opportunities for collaboration with other entities that may be able to support the health of the community and your patients — for example, Meals on Wheels or other community-based services.

• Tap into your employee knowledge base. Accessing each individual’s knowledge can provide alternative strategies for meeting needs and solving problems. Employees may have similar backgrounds as patients, thus enhancing the understanding of a particular culture.

• Create and publish a community resource guide focused on healthcare, wellness, and other services. This is a way to educate your patients as to the availability of broader services that provide support for them and/or their families. –