Improving patient outcomes with diversity in healthcare leadership

Presenting patients with a diverse workforce at hospitals and healthcare institutions can lead to better patient outcomes. Researchers from the University of Southern California found that patients are less likely to trust physicians and follow medical instructions if they feel they are being judged or stereotyped.

This cultural gulf could be overcome by increasing the diversity of voices patients see. Minorities represent 31% of patients nationally but only 12% of hospital executive leadership positions, 14% of board positions, and 17% of first- and mid-level management positions, according to a 2013 survey conducted by the American Hospital Association’s Institute for Diversity.
 
Source: Fierce Healthcare