Affiliation:
1. State University of New York at Cortland, USA
2. School of Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada
3. Georgia State University, USA
Abstract
The US is becoming an increasingly diverse and multicultural nation. It is therefore imperative to increase diverse representation in the healthcare workforce to adapt to the evolving patient community. Many institutions and systems in the US, including healthcare, have been structured to benefit the “White majority,” with people from marginalized backgrounds conforming to the system in order to receive care. An increase in healthcare workforce diversity is an achievable strategy for health equity and improving patient outcomes, particularly racial and ethnic disparities. Translating this to practice is a daunting task, but it is crucial to focus on the solutions. Organizations must acknowledge the systemic issues which exist and take action by having governance structures committed to supporting initiatives focused on diversity and cultural competency. The impact of greater diversity in the healthcare workforce extends to diverse patients having overall improved experiences in access, clinical encounters, communication with practitioners, choice, and satisfaction.
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