In a diverse society, healthcare professionals, particularly doctors, serve as the frontline in delivering equitable and inclusive care, especially to marginalized groups that often experience inadequate access to quality services.For organizations of all sizes appointing a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) leader is a step towards embedding inclusive practices into the workplace culture. These leaders help make sure that care is accessible and sensitive to the unique needs of all patients.
What are diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders?
DEI principles are interconnected concepts based on creating fair and supportive environments for everyone. Diversity refers to the variety of backgrounds and perspectives represented in a group including factors like race, gender, age, ability, and socioeconomic status. Equity involves providing resources and support tailored to individual needs to make sure everyone can succeed on equal footing. This concept recognizes that treating everyone the same does not always lead to fairness as some groups face systemic disadvantages.
DEI leaders are the teams or appointed individuals responsible for driving the enforcement of these principles within the organization. The reason for this is explained in an article on the American Psychological Association’s DEI Framework, “A systemic approach to organizational EDI needs to be intentional and engage all areas of the organization, thus incorporating an EDI lens into all aspects of the organization”. These leaders are tasked with identifying biases while also creating an environment where diversity is celebrated and actively incorporated into decision-making processes throughout every department.
Their value in medicine
The medical field by nature is deeply rooted in understanding human health and well being. DEI in healthcare helps to tackle the natural systemic disparities that have long disadvantaged marginalized communities like racial minorities and those with disabilities. Each of these principles contributes towards creating an environment where healthcare professionals can understand varied perspectives, respect all patients regardless of background, and provide patients with all that they need for equitable healthcare outcomes.
Do diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders have to be HIPAA compliant?
The handling of protected health information (PHI) is a general marker for whether or not an organization needs to comply with HIPAA. From that point, it becomes necessary to look at their function in handling PHI to categorize them as either covered entities like hospitals or business associates like HIPAA compliant email platforms. DEI leaders need to comply with HIPAA only if they handle PHI.
This is a common occurrence in healthcare practices that hire healthcare professionals in the organization or with medical qualifications as DEI leaders to ensure they understand medical practices. These leaders are often tasked with assisting in medical decision-making that could require contact with PHI, and therefore, they must be HIPAA compliant.
FAQs
What is the difference between covered entities and business associates?
Covered entities are organizations like hospitals, health insurance companies, and pharmacies that directly handle PHI.
Business associates are third parties that help these covered entities by providing a service. They don’t deliver healthcare.
What is the HIPAA Security Rule?
It protects electronic PHI (ePHI) and sets the standard to keep data secure.
What is protected health information?
PHI includes any details that can identify a person and relate to their health, medical care, or payments for healthcare.
Kirsten Peremore
