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DEI and Ethics in Healthcare
Capella University
NURS-FPX4000: Developing a Nursing Perspective
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Healthcare
, 2
Diversity, equity, and inclusion, also known as DEI and will be referenced as such through
this paper, has become a pillar in healthcare shaping its policies, workforce and the
organizational system itself.
Evolution of DEI in Healthcare
DEI in healthcare emerged in 2002 after a study was released by the Institute of Medicine.
This study shined light on systemic biases in healthcare and it led to poorer outcomes for
minorities. DEI first appeared in education and policies, although this change made subtle
improvements there were still members of the community that had low health literacy and still
faced hardships related to healthcare. (Omachi et., 2013). In 2010 DEI evolved again and now
had measurable goals and a leadership commitment. This closed some gaps in healthcare like
finding access and achieving preventive care.
Some policies that made healthcare more inclusive are the Affordable Care Act of 2010 that
opened healthcare for those who didn’t have insurance or those with pre-existing conditions. In
2020’s The World Health Organization (also known as WHO) came out with a health literacy
toolkit. This helped simplify communication and trained providers. Plain-language initiatives
develop health literacy that is easy for patients to understand. (Tormey et al., 2019)
In my short time in healthcare, I have seen access for patient care expand and the
workforce has grown with many different cultural diversities. I currently work with nurses from
the Philippines, Africa and India. Their experience working in a healthcare environment that is
not as advanced as America healthcare can lead to creative work arounds for patients when
DEI and Ethics in Healthcare
Capella University
NURS-FPX4000: Developing a Nursing Perspective
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Healthcare
, 2
Diversity, equity, and inclusion, also known as DEI and will be referenced as such through
this paper, has become a pillar in healthcare shaping its policies, workforce and the
organizational system itself.
Evolution of DEI in Healthcare
DEI in healthcare emerged in 2002 after a study was released by the Institute of Medicine.
This study shined light on systemic biases in healthcare and it led to poorer outcomes for
minorities. DEI first appeared in education and policies, although this change made subtle
improvements there were still members of the community that had low health literacy and still
faced hardships related to healthcare. (Omachi et., 2013). In 2010 DEI evolved again and now
had measurable goals and a leadership commitment. This closed some gaps in healthcare like
finding access and achieving preventive care.
Some policies that made healthcare more inclusive are the Affordable Care Act of 2010 that
opened healthcare for those who didn’t have insurance or those with pre-existing conditions. In
2020’s The World Health Organization (also known as WHO) came out with a health literacy
toolkit. This helped simplify communication and trained providers. Plain-language initiatives
develop health literacy that is easy for patients to understand. (Tormey et al., 2019)
In my short time in healthcare, I have seen access for patient care expand and the
workforce has grown with many different cultural diversities. I currently work with nurses from
the Philippines, Africa and India. Their experience working in a healthcare environment that is
not as advanced as America healthcare can lead to creative work arounds for patients when
