Promoting Cultural Diversity in Healthcare: Why it is Critical for Better Patient Outcomes

Healthcare is one of the most critical industries globally, with professionals entrusted with the highly sensitive task of safeguarding public health. However, one issue that has persisted in healthcare for a long time is the lack of cultural diversity. Over the years, the United States has become more diverse, which is reflected in the country’s population. According to the US Census Bureau, some ethnic groups are expected to grow between 2020 and 2025, with the Hispanic or Latino population expecting to account for nearly 43% of total ethnic groups by 2060. With such projections, healthcare providers should work towards promoting cultural diversity and inclusivity. Here’s why it’s crucial to achieve better patient outcomes in healthcare.

Understanding Cultural Diversity

Cultural diversity refers to differences in race, ethnicity, language, nationality, religion, and even demographics, amongst others. In the health sector, cultural diversity reflects on healthcare interactions between professionals and their patients. In essence, cultural diversity means recognizing and respecting the diverse beliefs, languages, attitudes, and individual preferences for healthcare. Therefore, by acknowledging and practicing cultural diversity, healthcare providers empower patients with the freedom to express their cultural preferences and enhance trust and collaboration between healthcare providers and their patients.

Enabling Better Communication

Effective communication is the foundation of better healthcare outcomes. In healthcare, effective communication requires healthcare providers to understand and respect how patients perceive their healthcare needs and how they wish to express these. Cultural diversity plays a fundamental role in improving communication between healthcare providers and patients. Healthcare providers who are culturally diverse understand how language and cultural differences can affect communication, making healthcare providers better prepared to handle multicultural patients. Improved communication leads to a greater chance of accurate diagnoses, better patient compliance, and improved patient outcomes.

Increasing Trust and Reducing Disparities

One of the primary advantages of promoting cultural diversity in healthcare is its ability to reduce disparities between patients from different backgrounds. Trust is a vital factor in healthcare delivery. A patient who does not trust their healthcare provider is unlikely to follow medical advice fully, which leads to diminished health outcomes. Often, patients from diverse backgrounds may fear and distrust healthcare providers, leading to reduced compliance. By promoting cultural diversity, healthcare providers can gain the trust of diverse communities and improve their willingness to seek care and cooperate with healthcare professionals.

Case Study: UAMS Medical Center

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Medical Center is an excellent example of healthcare facilities that promote cultural diversity. UAMS Medical Center has over 170 interpreters who assist patients who are non-English speakers and operates a culturally diverse clinic that considers dietary restrictions and other cultural requirements. UAMS Medical Center is an essential part of promoting cultural diversity, ensuring that diverse patients’ needs are accurately diagnosed and treated, leading to better patient outcomes.

Conclusion

Promoting cultural diversity in healthcare is essential for improving patient outcomes. Healthcare providers who recognize and respect cultural diversity enable better communication between healthcare providers and their patients, increase trust, and reduce disparities for multicultural communities. Ultimately, healthcare providers who promote cultural diversity empower their patients, increase patient compliance and cooperation, leading to better health outcomes. Therefore, cultural diversity is critical to healthcare providers’ success and should be at the forefront of implementing inclusive healthcare practices.