Frances Shani Parker, eldercare consultant and Detroit, Michigan author of Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes, writes this blog. Topics include eldercare, hospice, nursing homes, caregiving, dementia, death, bereavement, and older adults in general. News, practices, research, poems, stories, interviews, and videos are used often. In the top right column, you can search for various topics of interest to you. You can also subscribe to this blog or follow it by email.
The increasing
diversity in America must be addressed more efficiently by healthcare
institutions in order to meet the needs of various populations and eliminate disparities.
Cultural competency includes not only
racial-ethnic issues, but also disabilities, sexual orientation, and more,
including the need for diversity in the workplace. Racial-ethnicity,
however, is one form of diversity that particularly stands out. According to
the U.S. Census Bureau, the
U.S. is projected to become a majority-minority nation for the first time in
2043. The non-Hispanic white population will remain the largest single group,
and no group will make up a majority.All in
all, current racial-ethnic minorities are projected to comprise 57 percent of
the population in 2060.
While
various forms of cultural competency are included in core curriculum standards
in many undergraduate and graduate healthcare-related programs, questions
remain about areas in need of strengthening for greater proficiency. Cultural competency in nursing education is
an example of such a program that has been researched. In this survey research, 365 nurses participated. Results
indicated that undergraduate-degree nurses scored lower than graduate-degree
nurses regarding cultural knowledge. Scores on cultural awareness, skills, and comfort with
patient encounters did not vary between groups. Unfortunately, both groups of
nurses reported little cultural diversity training in the workplace or in
professional continuing education.
Cultural competency includes the
need for diversity among workers in the workplace. This video presents various
examples of the necessity for improving cultural competence in healthcare:
During my healthcare research, I have repeatedly come across data revealing major disparities in America’s healthcare system. Overwhelming evidence indicates that these disparities negatively affect certain racial and ethnic groups. America’s long history of overt and covert racism, with all its stereotypes and discrimination, continues to pervade its institutions in ways underestimated by many people, including those who are victimized by it. In my book Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes, I address this urgent matter:
“The responsibility for changing attitudes that cause disparities within the healthcare system rests with that system. This is not only a healthcare issue, but also a moral one. This system cannot continue to sit down in the middle of an unjust road, cause harm to others, and not be held accountable. Healthcare providers must own the fact that a large amount of research on disparities in racial and ethnic minority healthcare is true and make every effort to demonstrate equitable practices.
Better education in racial and ethnic cultural sensitivity, however, is not enough. Negative stereotypes are activated with and without intent, particularly in high-pressure work environments. Serious accountability from healthcare providers must include rewards and penalties. Incentives should be offered to encourage healthcare institutions to work diligently at lowering their incidents of disparities negatively impacting racial and ethnic minorities, as well as women and low economic groups. Solutions must be implemented with ongoing monitoring. Disparities of the magnitude that exists now will not be willed away.”
There is a tendency among some healthcare workers to assume that the solution to this problem rests with leaders of the “institution” when, in fact, it belongs to each person making up the institution. The question “Do you treat patients differently based on race or culture?” is one that every healthcare worker must explore at a personal level with honesty. In spite of overwhelming research to the contrary, most responders still say, ”Oh, I’m colorblind. I treat everybody the same.” Recognition of the problem is the first step toward improvement. Racial and ethnic disparities must be eliminated before America will ever realize true equality in healthcare among its diverse populations.
