Effective diversity, equity, and inclusion practices

Abstract

Demographics in Canada, and the workplace, are changing. These include population changes due to race, ethnicity, religion/faith, immigration status, gender, sexual identity and orientation, disability, income, educational background, socioeconomic status, and literacy. While this rich diversity can present challenges for patient experiences/outcomes and working environments, it can also present opportunities for positive transformation. For successful transformation to take place, strategies should focus on “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) versus “diversity” alone and on creating inclusive team environments for positive staff experiences/engagement. There is a growing understanding of the relationship between the providers’ work environments, patient outcomes, and organizational performance. This article leverages the principle of improving the healthcare provider’s experience based on Health Quality Ontario’s Quadruple Aim (“people caring for people”). Based on learnings/experiences, the top three successful practices from the organization’s DEI strategy have been outlined in this article.