THURSDAY, Oct. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Health policy and advocacy initiatives should be supported to promote delivery of culturally effective health care (CEHC ) and to promote workplace diversity, according to a policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published online Sept. 30 in Pediatrics.
Noting that the health of all children is dependent on pediatricians practicing culturally effective care, Beth A. Pletcher, M.D., and colleagues from the AAP Committee on Pediatric Workforce combined and updated statements on CEHC and workforce diversity.
The AAP recommends that pediatricians assume a leadership role in advocating for a racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse workforce; medical students, residents, and faculty recruitment activities should support and advocate for this diversity. Affirmative action programs should be supported, as well as the development of sequentially staged programs for students underrepresented in the medical profession, who should be eligible for broader financial assistance. In addition, the AAP recommends that pediatricians advocate for CEHC and that health care organizations (along with the AAP) participate in the development and assessment of the effectiveness of CEHC programs. Incentive programs should be developed to fund initiatives to improve CEHC delivery.
"Increasing the diversity of the pediatrician workforce and enhancing the provision of culturally effective care to the pediatric population will help achieve the AAP mission of promoting optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults," the authors write.
Full Text
