Equity and Diversity in the Workplace

 

 

 

   Equity and Diversity are defined by Heidke and Howie (2015, p.72) as equity "relates to ensuring equal opportunities for specific target groups", and diversity is the "recognition that employees differ not just on the basis of race, gender and ethnicity but dimensions such as age, lifestyles and geographic positions". 

  "In Australia, the number of registered nurses born overseas in 2011 was 33% compared with 25% in 2001". (Koch, 2013)  ‘Managing diversity is an idea whose time has come. More and more corporations and organisations are awakening to the fact that a diverse workforce is not a burden, but their greatest potential strength’. (Kramar, 2012)  

   This blog’s focus is equity and diversity in the workplace and I chose a framework that highlights the negative aspects within a work environment.  A conceptual framework with a view “toward power imbalances and discrimination in the context of health care,  that addresses the concept of bias, since bias includes implicit negative stereotypes and attitudes that negatively affect judgments about, evaluations of, and actions toward others”. (Moceri, 2013)

 

(Moceri, 2013)

 

 

   Government Legislation and Workplace Policy provide grounding and guidance with regard to Diversity, Inclusion and Equity of workers.  "A workplace that values diversity and is free of discrimination is more productive". (DCA.org.au, 2016) 
 
   Nursing encompasses many aspects of diversity that I will experience on a daily basis.  Upon reflection I think a great attitude is essential and acknowledging that collectively, we are colleagues who work together to provide a healthcare system that supports the patient from admission to discharge is paramount.
 

  

(Google.com.au, 2016)

  

Diversity Council Australia.(2016) Why Diversity Matters.Retrieved 24 January 2016, from

    http://www.dca.org.au/about-dca.html/why-diversity-matters.html

 

Google.com.au,. (2016). equity and diversity - Google Search. Retrieved 24 January 2016, from     

     https://www.google.com.au/search?q=equity+and+diversity&biw=1301&bih=610&source=

    

 

Heidke, P., & Howie, V. (2015) NHLT12002-Inclusive Practice: Study Guide. Rockhampton,

   Qld: CQUniversity Australia.

  

Koch, D. (2013). Experiences of nursing students undertaking clinical placement in a       

   bachelor degree : a perspective of diversity. Hdl.handle.net. Retrieved 24 January 2016,

   from http://hdl.handle.net/10453/29231

 

Moceri, J. (2013). Hispanic Nurses' Experiences of Bias in the Workplace. Journal

    Of Transcultural Nursing, 25(1), 15-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1043659613504109

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

Cultural Competence and Care in Communities

 





  (We Hear You, 2014)

 

 

    “Cultural competence is not static, and our level of cultural competence changes in response to new situations, experiences and relationships. The three elements of cultural competence are: attitudes, skills, knowledge.”(We Hear You, 2014)  I wanted to lead with this model framework because it speaks to me about my own involvement, my accountability, my knowledge and questions me about who I am really helping.  I can reflect upon a lack of experience, knowledge and not really knowing how to move forward and be more open about the experience of working with little cultural competence.

  Cultural competency is “a key strategy for reducing inequalities in healthcare access and improving the quality and effectiveness of care”. (Bainbrdge, McCalman, Clifford & Tsey, 2015)  A group of professionals can be culturally competent and work very effectively within a cross cultural environment that focuses on behaviours, attitudes and policies. (Bainbridge et al, 2015)  I agree with Bainbridge et al, and feel that through onsite education processes, such as information sessions facilitated by persons of a specific culture is strengthens the learning. 

  I have much admiration for Roselie and her husband who do such an emotionally tough job, without having any expectation this would be their families path.  It would be quite easy to embark on a community job without knowing what to expect, the culture of this work and the adjustment would be steep. 
 

  To be a new member of a community I would need to be culturally competent and also understand that as a newcomer there can be a period of adjustment until acceptance is acknowledged.  Evaluating the prospect of nursing within a specific community the experience would be invaluable.  To be prepared with knowledge of culturally specific information, promoting positivity, being willing and able to learn specific needs of the person’s culture and allaying fears would help to make the transition from a culturally inept outsider to an effective patient advocate who promotes cultural understanding within her community.


 

(Google.com.au, 2016)

 



Bainbrdge, R., McCalman, J., Clifford, A., & Tsey, K. (2015). Cultural competency in the        delivery of health services for Indigenous people. Issues paper no.13. (pp. 2-6).

     Canberra, Australia: Closing the Gap Clearinghouse. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare & Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

 

Google.com.au,. (2016). cultural competence communities - Google Search. Retrieved 18 January 2016, from https://www.google.com.au/search?q=cultural+competence+communities.

 

 

We Hear You,. (2014). What does it mean to be culturally competent?. Retrieved 17 January 2016, from http://wehearyou.acecqa.gov.au/2014/07/10/what-does-it-mean-to-be-culturally-competent/

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

Multiculturalism and Health

 

alism and Health

 

   Multiculturalism and health is both relevant and important.  Multiculturalism defined by my own reasoning was very vague- in short I defined the term as a group of people from various cultures living within the one community.  Not very concise, so I leant towards quotes, verses and the like to assist me to gather my own understanding.  I do like the words grouped above and what drew me there were 4 specific words- identity, people, world, political.

  
   Malik(2015), discussed the failure of multiculturalism and states 30 years ago, “Multiculturalism was the embrace of an inclusive, diverse society”.  With regard to the changes across Europe, critics state that “excessive immigration without integration eroded social cohesion, undermined national identities, and degraded public trust”. (Malik, 2015)  Multiculturalism Malik noted, “not merely a response to diversity but also a means of constraining it”.  Do the members of our community follow this thought process, are we taught that diversity must only be maintained with the community?   

I was delighted to read an article by Cuellar (2014) about the “Caring People Who Can Change the World: You” a feature in The Journal of Transcultural Nursing.  “Nurses have started to change the world in how we see people of diverse backgrounds”. (Cuellar, 2014)  I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Mercy and her experiences.  What courage it has taken to move from your country of origin to lands so vastly different to home.  We can be closed minded about other cultures and lack understanding of how their experiences can help us to develop our own cultural understanding.  I live in the lucky country and my perspective is not as broad as those who have chosen our country as their home. Nursing is presents opportunities and teaches us that working together we learn more and give better of ourselves. 

 

Cuellar, N. (2014). Caring People Who Can Change the World: You. Journal Of Transcultural Nursing, 25(1), 5-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1043659613513960

Mlik. K.,(2015)  Foreign Affairs,. (2015). The Failure of Multiculturalism. Retrieved 14 January 2016, from https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/western-europe/failure-multiculturalism

Margaret Mead quote (BrainyQuote)           http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/margaretme101283.html#qyzptWv7yVcdRQKS.99

 

The BoogieFinger Times-All the NEWS Fit to Pick (: Former Democrat Governor Richard D. Lamm    on   Multiculturalism)
http://boogiefinger.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/former-democrat-governor-richard-d-lamm.html 

 

" NEVER BELIVE THAT A FEW CARING PEOPLE CAN'T CHANGE

     THE WORLD. FOR, INDEED, THAT'S ALL WHO EVER HAVE".

Margaret Mead, American Anthropologist.

 

 

 

 

 

Cultural Health Practices and Beliefs

What do I think of health practice, cultural beliefs and how these beliefs may impact on how I interact with patients?  I consider myself to be respectful of others, I have empathy and I understand that as individuals we live with our own beliefs, nuances and the like.  I live in a country known for its multicultural way of life, but I don't think my understanding of  is as broad as those who live in larger cities where diversity is more obvious.

"Cultural awareness recognises that we are all shaped by our cultural background which influences how we interpret the world around us, perceive ourselves and relate to other people." (etraining.communitydoor.org.au)  I understand that we are raised by the beliefs of those who raise us, creating our culture and our understanding of behaviour and values. Culture that is defined by those who are a part of our life, will differ from town to town and beyond.  Under the umbrella of ethnicity we identify race, colour, culture and beliefs that will differ from our own. (Jones and Creedy, 2013)  I hear the term culture used in association with sport and work and ethnic groups and other environments and the tone is one of negativity. What a disappointment that individual cultural values can be changed when grouped with others who differ.  Hence, the importance of understanding and promoting positivity while maintaining a patient's autonomy of their own cultural beliefs is essential.  This is essential particularly when the healthcare worker is faced with diversity of culture and belief within the healthcare setting.

In relation to Diane's interview I take away the importance of personal needs, cultural needs and how essential having an integrated health system who can support the patients.  I felt the interview was very thought provoking and hoped that Diane was given peace and comfort.  As a healthcare worker the beliefs that are embedded within each of us can be challenged when confronted with differing religious beliefs and cultural needs of a patient.  

Being respectful and empathetic are only one small component of understanding the cultural needs and beliefs of a patient.  I think it's time to learn from our patient  and with this knowledge our understanding of beliefs and culture would enhance the inpatient experience and quite possibly improve the patient health outcomes.

Jones, K., & Creedy, D. (2013). Health and human behaviour. South Melbourne, Vic.:  




Oxford University Press (2016). Retrieved 9 January 2016, from http://www.etraining.communitydoor.org