Multiculturalism is Likely to Factor into Future Primary Care Positions
As recent Associated Press, Cincinnati Business Courier and Crain’s Detroit Business’ articles have pointed out, hospitals are increasingly working towards embracing diversity. And those efforts include more than just coming up with bilingual marketing plans. Driven by America’s changing demographics and an overriding need to do away with healthcare disparities, it’s a trend that includes everything from ethnic menus to staffing.
So what does any of this have to do with the future of America’s primary care positions? Personally, we believe that it will help increase the demand for healthcare professionals that approach primary care from a multicultural viewpoint. That in-demand group includes primary care physicians, nurses, nurses’ aides and specialists.
Ideally, people filling today’s primary care positions should be bilingual and sensitive to issues regarding ethnicity, race, language, disability and sex. Otherwise, problems like the ones occurring in the United Kingdom could happen here too. For readers that may have missed the May 2014 Daily Post story, the country’s problems center on healthcare professionals asking people to refrain from speaking their native languages.
Thus, depending on the situation, primary care providers may need to participate in additional on and off the job sensitivity training and multicultural studies. There are multiple routes primary care physicians, nursing staff and specialists may take to get the necessary training. These viable routes include enrolling in post-secondary courses as well as participating in local, regional and national organizations. The list of organizations that may be able to help primary care providers overcome diversity related barriers includes the American Hospital Association, Healthcare Diversity Council, U.S. Health & Human Services and State Primary Care Associations.
To uncover more information about the changing face of healthcare and its impact on primary care positions, please contact us at Medical Associates Consulting. We specialize in finding healthcare professionals permanent placement nationwide. Potential applicants are also welcome to utilize our online research center.
