NURS FPX 4000 Assessment 4 DEI and Ethics in Healthcare
NURS FPX 4000 Assessment 4
Name
Capella university
NURS-FPX4000 Developing a Nursing Perspective
Prof. Name
Date
DEI and Ethics in Healthcare
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in healthcare are essential for addressing systemic biases and ensuring that all patients receive equitable care. The evolution of DEI practices has led to noteworthy improvements in patient outcomes and satisfaction through culturally competent care (Martinez et al., 2024). This assessment examines the historical context of DEI and its impact on healthcare delivery. It highlights the role of unconscious bias and microaggressions in patient care. It explores effective strategies for overcoming bias and fostering an inclusive healthcare setting.
The Evolution and Impact of DEI in Healthcare
The evolution of DEI in healthcare has considerably improved patient care by addressing systemic biases, health disparities, and unequal access to care. Historically, marginalized populations faced discrimination in healthcare settings. This leads to poorer health outcomes (Martinez et al., 2024). Over time, policies such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) have promoted health equity, cultural competence, and patient-centered care.
Throughout my professional career, DEI has progressed from an abstract subject to a strategic framework, and health organizations have implemented implicit bias training, microaggressions awareness, and equitable hiring practices. For example, hospitals have incorporated bias-reduction methods into clinical decision-making to provide minority patients with the same quality of care as other patients. Additionally, the Joint Commission’s DEI accreditation standards now include inclusive policies, making equitable treatment a healthcare standard for good or ill (The Joint Commission, 2023).
One such notable initiative is the incorporation of maternal healthcare programs aimed at reducing high maternal mortality rates for Black women. Hospitals now conduct bias training for obstetric care providers, patient advocacy programs, and standardized treatment protocols, consequently improving survival. Another example is implementing multilingual telehealth services, facilitating greater access among non-English-speaking patients, reducing language-related barriers, and promoting communication during healthcare consultation (Shin et al., 2023). DEI further shapes patient care by fostering trust, improved health outcomes, and equal access. With the integration of inclusive policy, cultural awareness, and impartial care, healthcare systems are creating an even more fair and effective system, justifying DEI as the cornerstone of modern healthcare provision.
Unconscious Bias Leads to Microaggressions
Unconscious bias considerably contributes to microaggressions, subtle and often unintended comments or behaviors that can downgrade individuals based on their identity. These biases make people think things about other individuals because of the way they look, their color, gender, or other things without even realizing it. For example, a doctor will think that the Black patient is less adherent to treatment just based on stereotypes, making derogatory comments about their mode of care. People tend to be unaware of the biases affecting their perceptions and actions (Meidert et al., 2023). Most biases are embedded through societal norms and media portrayals, making them respond automatically toward other people. For example, a nurse might subconsciously prefer a patient from their own culture, believing they will understand them better, but fail to interact with patients from other cultures as extensively.
Unconscious bias generates a preference for individuals supposed to be similar in race, gender, or socioeconomic status. This bias can lead to unequal treatment; that is, a female physician might unknowingly favor a female patient over a male patient because they belong to the same gender, and this could impact the quality of care they are given. Microaggressions, although generally unconscious, exert a profound negative impact on the targeted individual. Microaggressions can cause individuals feelings of alienation, diminished self-worth, and emotional distress (Desai et al., 2023). For instance, a Latino patient would feel demeaned if a practitioner criticizes their accent, reducing their confidence in the healthcare system. There is a need to tackle unconscious bias in medical practice to reduce microaggressions and provide an inviting setting that promotes equal treatment. Through awareness creation and training, healthcare professionals can overcome the biases, making the patient experience improved across the board and the health outcomes better.
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