CULTURAL DIVERSITY 2
Cultural diversity in healthcare
Cultural diversity can be termed as the differences that exist among people based on their
ethnic or racial backgrounds, traditions, and even language (Simms, 2013). The Walt Disney
Company is one of the companies that derive their massive success from embracing this concept.
The company has thrived throughout the twentieth century to date with cultural diversity in its
workforce is one of its main ingredients for success. Various studies conducted by business
scholars put cultural diversity at the core of business success. The Walt Disney Company has taken
this fact into consideration which has led to high levels of satisfaction from the guests as well as
the workers in the company ("Diversity Journal," 2014).
Cultural diversity is fundamental in healthcare as it provides the opportunities of offering
quality care to patients. It includes factors such as ethnic heritage, gender, race, sexual orientation,
religion, age, education status, as well as socio-economic status. It helps boost communication
with patients which in turn helps in enhancing patient care. In addition, cultural diversity is
essential in bridging the gap between patient’s beliefs and the medical culture which improves
service delivery. A health care workforce that reflects a client’s communication and demographic
factors contributes to making the patient comfortable and improves service delivery (Simms,
2013).
In addition, ultimate care can be provided when the healthcare workforce understands the
patient’s customs, culture, food, environment as well as the religious views. Contact with a diverse
healthcare system impacts positively on patient’s health. Where there lack healthcare professionals
from diverse cultures, the healthcare workers can improve diversity by learning more about
patients’ cultures to create cultural sensitivity and awareness. Moreover, cultural diversity brings
about greater creativity, innovation, and collaboration which improves patient satisfaction and
