In 150 words and 1 citation please make all information and examples be healthcare related 

Choose from either one of the disparity/diversity issues listed in the Healthcare Industry report overview (e.g. inequity in workforce diversity, clinical trial disparities, health disparities, etc.) or one of the posted articles to discuss your findings. Tell the class what you learned from the readings, the current state of the healthcare industry as it relates to the topic you chose and as it relates to the diversity, equity, and inclusion. How might we combat the issues? What does the future hold? Any personal and/or work experiences that you are willing to share.

Reply to these post with 75 words and 1 citation each in a meaningful way where you also add new information that can start a discussion. 

Post 1 

COLLAPSE

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black Women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. (CDC) We were assigned to read the article entitled “America is Failing its Black Mothers.” The article gives examples of cases in which the complaints of postpartum black women went ignored. Serena Williams, a world-renowned tennis player explains that she was previously treated for clots in her lung, which could result in death if not treated. After giving birth to her child she explained to the nurse that she was having the same symptoms and requested a CT scan of the lungs. Instead of providing her with that test, a different test was ordered, and eventually, she was given a CT scan. Fortunately, she was treated in time and there were no dire consequences.

In that article, it goes on to address a study that was initiated by the findings of Arline Geronimus. Based on her concern the former Health and Human Services Secretary Margaret Heckler requested a larger study be completed. This research showed that because minorities have to deal with many adverse circumstances their bodies release chemicals related to stress and these chemicals harm the body and decrease healing time and increase a person of color’s propensity to engage in behavior that is detrimental to their health. (Roeder)

This article makes excellent points. In my opinion, it does not address the biases faced by many minorities. Across the spectrum of black mothers, there are many cultures. Many people identified as black can be Jamaican, Dominican, African American, Guyanese, Puerto Rican, Ethiopian, Nigerian, and many other cultures. Despite the varying cultures the problem is across the board related to skin complexion. I have worked on the clinical side of healthcare, and the lack of acknowledgment of racial bias is one of the biggest reasons I transitioned out of that area of healthcare.

In my opinion, everyone has personal biases however, a person that values his trade as a healthcare professional will allow their passion for excellent patient outcomes to override their inclination to include their personal bias. We all make mistakes, but failure to acknowledge those mistakes will cause a person to start believing that their biases are medical standards. As an African American, I choose doctors based on where they have trained. If a doctor has treated various black and brown patients chances are that they have been exposed to many different ideologies and have challenged their own personal biases. I know it is probably logistically difficult, but I believe that all doctors in training should be exposed to diverse communities. This will at least get people to steer away from the danger of acting like racial biases don’t exist. (Skorton)

Post 2 

For many years diversity within the healthcare industry has been a rising  issue especially for women and minorities who are not represented properly in higher paying and leadership positions. They experience discrimination, uneven promotion opportunities, and challenges trying to further their education in the field.

Minorities are highly underrepresented in healthcare although white men have the highest percentage for physicians, and white women have the highest percentage of nurses. 64% of physicians are male and 56% are white. 6% of the physicians account for Hispanics and 5% account for African Americans.

Furthermore, women are vastly underrepresented at every level and are often discouraged for promotional positions. For every 100 men who are promoted only 85 women are promoted. For minorities only 58 for blacks and 71 of Hispanics are promoted for every 100 men. (Cultural diversity in Healthcare 2021) In addition to that, approximately 36% of physicians are female, 5% are African American and 5% are Hispanic. 

When I had my clinical rotation in Potsdam, I talked with an African American male physician who was called from NYC because of the lack of doctors in that area. He said he liked working in NYC better because it is a faster pace and more diverse. I noticed he was the only African American doctor there and there were very few women doctors. The future can get better and enhanced if an equal representation of all people is shown. 

Diversity in healthcare has benefits including increased provider comfort levels, improved communication, increased patient trust, and improved employee engagement. (Cultural diversity in Healthcare 2021) It is vital that the healthcare industry improves diversity to ensure that everyone is represented regardless of gender, background, race, or culture in the workforce. Also, diversity representation improves patient outcomes, builds stronger communities, and increases employee satisfaction. (Cultural diversity in Healthcare 2021)