The Diverse Nature of Healthcare patients/clients

Diversity in Toronto According to Toronto Statistics on Diversity –Half of Toronto's population (1,237,720) was born outside of Canada, up from 48 per cent in –Toronto's rich multi-cultural diversity is expressed by the more than 200 distinct ethnic origins residents identified in their response to the 2006 Census. –Diversity can also be measured by the extent in which people speak another language other than English or French in the home. Thirty-one percent of City residents had a home language other than English or French. The top non-official home languages were: Chinese, Tamil, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. –Source:

Definition of Diversity Diversity can be defined as: –understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These differences can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio- economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies.

Diversity in Healthcare Diversity in Toronto translates into a healthcare system that is comprised of people from a wide variety of backgrounds –As the author of the textbook quotes “You cannot build relationships with people you don’t understand” –This means: As Employees and Employers we must strive to embrace differences and try to learn from others who are different than us. Those who are different than use offer the richest opportunity for growth!

Diversity in Healthcare Teams Healthcare teams may be composed of diversities such as age, generational values, cross functional differences within the organization, varying educational levels, socio-economic differences, religious differences and practices. Additional differences may be race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and physical abilities. As an individual that is part of a healthcare team it is important to be SENSITIVE AND OPEN-MINDED with those whom we collaborate with –Source:

It is the LAW The Right NOT to be discriminated against is the LAW in Ontario According to the Ontario Human Rights Code: The Ontario Human Rights Code is for everyone. It is a provincial law that gives everybody equal rights and opportunities without discrimination in specific areas such as jobs, housing and services. The Code’s goal is to prevent discrimination and harassment because of race, sex, disability, and age, to name a few of the fifteen grounds. All other Ontario laws must agree with the Code. Source: pdf

What does discrimination look like? Unfortunately discrimination can rear its ugly head in many different ways –Age –Sex –Race –Religion –Sexual Orientation –Disabilities –Social Class –Ethnic origin –Marital Status –Record of offenses (in employment only)

How to begin to enjoy Diversity? 1.Work on verbal discipline –Focus your comments to others, as well as your own, “self-talk” (internal conversations in your mind) on the positive 2.Avoid being judgmental –Test yourself: For one entire day, try to avoid saying anything negative or judgmental about another person. –When you do this…you will find yourself enjoying people more! 3.Have a positive attitude and an open mind

Variety is the Spice of Life As the old saying goes: –Variety is the Spice of Life We are fortunate to be in a city that is so full of culture and customs that may be different than your own…we don’t have to travel far to enjoy and see the world.