Twelve Tips for Inclusive Practice in Healthcare Settings

Brahmaputra Marjadi; Joanne Flavel; Kirsten Baker; Kristen Glenister; Melissa Morns; Mel Triantafyllou; Penelope Strauss; Brittany Wolff; Alexandra Marie Procter; Zelalem Mengesha; Scott Walsberger; Xiaoxi Qiao; Paul A Gardiner

doi:10.3390/ijerph20054657

Twelve Tips for Inclusive Practice in Healthcare Settings

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Mar 6;20(5):4657. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20054657.

Authors

Brahmaputra Marjadi^{1

2}, Joanne Flavel^{1

3}, Kirsten Baker^{1

4}, Kristen Glenister^{1

5}, Melissa Morns^{1

6}, Mel Triantafyllou^{1

7}, Penelope Strauss^{1

8}, Brittany Wolff^{1

9}, Alexandra Marie Procter^{1

10}, Zelalem Mengesha^{1

11}, Scott Walsberger^{1

12}, Xiaoxi Qiao^{1

13}, Paul A Gardiner^{1

13}

Affiliations

¹ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Special Interest Group, Public Health Association of Australia, Deakin, ACT 2600, Australia.
² Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia.
³ Stretton Health Equity, Stretton Institute, School of Social Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
⁴ Australian Research Consortium in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia.
⁵ Department of Rural Health, The University of Melbourne, Wangaratta, VIC 3677, Australia.
⁶ The Australian Centre for Public and Population Health Research, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia.
⁷ Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia.
⁸ Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
⁹ School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
¹⁰ School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
¹¹ Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, The University of New South Wales, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2025, Australia.
¹² ACON, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia.
¹³ School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia.

Abstract

This paper outlines practical tips for inclusive healthcare practice and service delivery, covering diversity aspects and intersectionality. A team with wide-ranging lived experiences from a national public health association's diversity, equity, and inclusion group compiled the tips, which were reiteratively discussed and refined. The final twelve tips were selected for practical and broad applicability. The twelve chosen tips are: (a) beware of assumptions and stereotypes, (b) replace labels with appropriate terminology, (c) use inclusive language, (d) ensure inclusivity in physical space, (e) use inclusive signage, (f) ensure appropriate communication methods, (g) adopt a strength-based approach, (h) ensure inclusivity in research, (i) expand the scope of inclusive healthcare delivery, (j) advocate for inclusivity, (k) self-educate on diversity in all its forms, and (l) build individual and institutional commitments. The twelve tips are applicable across many aspects of diversity, providing a practical guide for all healthcare workers (HCWs) and students to improve practices. These tips guide healthcare facilities and HCWs in improving patient-centered care, especially for those who are often overlooked in mainstream service provision.

Keywords: diversity; equity; health service; inclusion.

MeSH terms

Delivery of Health Care*
Health Facilities
Health Personnel*
Humans
Students

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.