An inclusive work environment is important for doctors, nurses, technicians and administrative personnel to perform at their best. When the diverse perspectives and ideas of staff members are heard, healthcare providers can find creative solutions for enhancing patient care, reducing employee stress and burnout and increasing staff morale.

Healthcare organizations who are perceived as not prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are twice as likely to struggle with attracting and retaining staff, according to a 2021 survey by Press Ganey. Taking a comprehensive approach to improving DEI helps healthcare organizations in their efforts to replace record job losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and demonstrate to current employees and new recruits a commitment to DEI.

Ongoing DEI training on these 6 topics is one of the proactive steps to create a more inclusive and rewarding work environment for all healthcare employees. 

1. Fostering Diversity, Inclusion & Sensitivity

All healthcare employees play a role in promoting workplace diversity, inclusion and sensitivity. When team members respect each other for who they are and the talents they bring to work, it creates a positive work experience where everyone feels welcome, supported and empowered to contribute.

2. Building Cultural Competence

Improving cultural competence increases employees’ appreciation for how individual backgrounds and experiences affect personal beliefs, perceptions and decisions to improve staff synergy and collaboration.

3. Preventing Unconscious Bias

Raising employee awareness of unconscious bias and how to prevent these judgements, stereotypes and prejudices about people from influencing workplace decisions and interactions is essential to fostering a work environment that’s fair and non-discriminatory.

4. Managing Microaggressions

Helping employees address intentional or unintentional slights, snubs and insults, known as microaggressions, reduces staff conflicts to improve employee mental and physical health and promote inclusion.

5.Accommodating Religion, Spirituality & Beliefs

Creating a faith-friendly environment for individuals to express their religion, spirituality and beliefs at work leads to a more fulfilling employee work experience to meet daily challenges.

6. Supporting LGBTQ+ Inclusion

A workplace environment that welcomes and supports individuals of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community creates a psychologically safe culture in which all employees can participate as their authentic selves.

Traliant Insight

Healthcare organizations committed to ongoing DEI training can improve recruiting and retention and strengthen staff interactions and collaboration to increase efficiency, productivity and quality of care. By reaffirming that all employees are respected and their contributions valued, providers can attract professionals eager to join a supportive and empathetic healthcare environment.