Write a paper (825-1,250 words) that addresses the impact diversity has on health care, and
the changes that occur to support diverse populations. Include the following:
1.Define diversity. Explain how diverse demographics influence the health care industry.
Consider culture, gender, religion and spirituality, and social and economic status.
2.Define the meaning of cultural competence and the role it plays in organizational
behavior.
3.What is meant by the term “diversity management”? How have changes in U.S.
demographics impacted the health care industry, diversity of customers, and diversity
within the organization itself?
4.How does understanding diversity support awareness, empathy, and understanding with
a community? How does it support a national and global community?
BENCHMARK ASSIGNMENT – DIVERSITY IN HEALTHCARE2
Benchmark Assignment – Diversity in Health Care
Diversity
Diversity is the essence of a given subject being composed of different elements
(Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, 2017) . In healthcare, diversity implies the need for the
provision of quality health services to a broad range of populations with varying characters
(Betancourt, Green, Carrillo, & Ananeh-Firempong, 2003, p. 296 ) . As such, diversity in
healthcare implies the meeting of various providers with different backgrounds with a uniform
goal that is the provision of quality healthcare services to individuals from as varied backgrounds
as they are.
The influence of diversity in demographics on the health care industry
The growing globalization and the interaction of various cultures is an important factor in
the efficient delivery of healthcare. The priority given by healthcare providers to diversity is due
to these increasing changes. Changes within the global and local demographics and economies of
a multicultural setting create more disparities in health statuses and the need for focused attention
(Campinha-Bacote, 2003) . Such increasing diversity in demographics has a number of effects on
the healthcare industry as illustrated below.
Better research on issues related to racial and cultural diversity. Owing to the
increased diversity in the target populations of various healthcare facilities, there is a need for
better research into the various cultural factors and their influence on health care. Such
information helps the industry and providers to identify various diseases and conditions
correctly, which has a positive impact on the provision of quality healthcare (Betancourt, Green,
Carrillo, & Ananeh-Firempong, 2003) .
BENCHMARK ASSIGNMENT – DIVERSITY IN HEALTHCARE3
Improved cultural competence. In order to operate in the culturally diversified world
successfully, the healthcare industry needs to develop cultural competence. This phenomenon is
a set of attitudes, behaviors, and policy that come together to create a workplace that is ready to
operate and compete effectively in a culturally diverse setting. Through various government
agencies, the healthcare industry has embarked on programs to enhance cultural competence.
This includes education and training on different cultures, the launch of cultural and
linguistically appropriate services the creation of cultural desire, cultural awareness, and cultural
skills that enhance the encounters between health care providers and the patients at the facilities
(Campinha-Bacote, 2003) . The health care facilities replicate the same concept at the
organizational level through the creation of various frameworks and models, which allow for
wider implementation and impact in the healthcare industry.
Cultural competence
Betancourt, Green, Carrillo, and Ananeh-Firempong provide a definition of cultural
competence as the acknowledgement of culture, cross-cultural relations, vigilance in handling
the dynamics resulting from cultural differences, expansion of knowledge about culture, and the
adoption of services to meet health care needs that are unique to culture (2003, p. 294 ) .
The role cultural competence plays in organizational behavior.
The integration of cultural competence in a health care facility enables various changes in
organizational behavior. Cultural competence helps to streamline various operations, primarily
through the introduction of new efforts. Such efforts promote the inclusion of under-represented
minorities as providers and leaders in the healthcare industry (Betancourt, Green, Carrillo, &
Ananeh-Firempong, 2003) . Through such efforts, change in the healthcare industry is possible
through focused and structured changes in the organizational behavior.
BENCHMARK ASSIGNMENT – DIVERSITY IN HEALTHCARE4
Diversity Management
Diversity management is a strategic managerial tool and practice that involves the
application of business and personal best practices with the aim to create an inclusive workplace
in an organization (Dreachslin, 2007)
How changes in U.S. demographics have affected the health care industry, diversity of
customers, and diversity within the organization itself.
Various changes in the US demographics present a challenge for the healthcare industry.
The challenge here is the effective change in the operational processes within health care to
accommodate such changes. However, there is headway in such goals since the industry has
made several changes to accommodate an aging population as well as racial and cultural
differences (Llopis, 2015) . Owing to the prevailing changes, there has been new service
providers, a rise in operational standards, and a better inclusion of cultural and racial diversity in
the various organizations that provide healthcare services.
How understanding diversity supports awareness, empathy, and understanding with a
community
The inclusion of diversity and especially through programs such as the implementation of
cultural competence in health care organizations has a number of peripheral benefits to the
practitioners and patients alike. The training offered with the program helps increase cultural
awareness and empathy for marginalized persons. The integration with persons of a different
culture helps patients and practitioners have a better and open view of other members of the
community
How understanding diversity supports a national and global community
BENCHMARK ASSIGNMENT – DIVERSITY IN HEALTHCARE5
The impacts of such programs as cultural competence are not restricted to the locality of
the health care facility where they are implemented. The understanding of diversity through such
programs helps in the change of organizational behavior and organizational culture. Such change
allows for the integration of the core principles of cultural competence on a larger scale. The
reach of such national and global firms allows for the spread of the understanding of diversity.
As such, the system allows for increased and wider support for the culturally and racially
marginalized communities at the national and global levels.
BENCHMARK ASSIGNMENT – DIVERSITY IN HEALTHCARE6
References
Betancourt, J. R., Green, A. R., Carrillo, J. E., & Ananeh-Firempong, O. (2003). Defining
Cultural Competence: A Practical Framework for Addressing Racial/Ethnic Disparities in
Health and Health Care. Public Health Reports, 118(2), 293 – 302.