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How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities
1
Project Paper
"How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities"
Ricky Floyd, Aymen Sherefedin, and Payton Armstrong
Montgomery College
COMM 122: Business and Professional Communication
Dr. Professor Chaaban
1/14/24
How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities
2
Introduction
People who receive health and social care services rely heavily on communication since it shapes
their social identities. A person's social identity is their perception of themselves and how others
see them in relation to characteristics like their race, gender, age, sexual orientation, and physical
or mental abilities. Social identities have multiple ways that they can impact communication in
health and social care settings. If health and social care providers truly care about their patients
and want to treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve, they must prioritize effective
communication. Some ways to do this include being conscious of one's own prejudices and
preconceptions, actively listening to others, and adopting inclusive language. Healthcare
practitioners can help build a more welcoming and equal atmosphere for their patients by being
aware of how patients' social identities affect their communication. This essay will delve into the
ways in which social identities impact communication in health and social care services, as well
as how these identities in turn impact the ways in which individuals, groups, and institutions
interact and relate to one another.
Definition and Analysis
When people and organizations in the healthcare and social service fields communicate with one
another, they are engaging in the exchange of ideas, information, and messages. It encompasses
many other types of communication, both verbal and nonverbal, including in-person meetings,
emails, texts, and phone calls. This is what the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine at
Tulane University has to say: "Skillful communication enables healthcare providers to establish
rapport with their patients, solicit crucial health information, and work effectively with all
members of a care team and the public." For healthcare and social service providers to
collaborate efficiently and accomplish shared objectives, it is crucial that they are able to
How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities
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communicate effectively with one another and with patients, clients, and other stakeholders.
Included in this is the fast and accurate exchange of information between various units and
departments within a healthcare facility, as well as between physicians, nurses, and other
members of the healthcare team. Nonetheless, prejudice based on one's social identity is a major
obstacle we to offering good communication. Minorities may encounter ableism, sexism, and
racism while seeking medical treatment. This makes it more difficult for some populations to get
the medical attention they need.
Criteria for Establishing Possible Solutions
Identifying a viable solution might be challenging due to variations in healthcare communication
practices worldwide, which may be influenced by distinct factors specific to each healthcare
practitioner. However, in order to effectively reduce prejudice in services, it is essential for many
individuals to adhere to or integrate specific rules when developing a solution. The primary
criterion for establishing potential solutions is that they must be practical. While it may be
exceedingly challenging to entirely eradicate bias in health and social care services, it is
imperative that efforts are made to mitigate the occurrence of discrimination. Additionally, they
must be realistic in terms of the economy. In 2021, the United States healthcare costs were
"...$4.3 trillion, or $12,914 per person, and accounted for 18.3% of Gross Domestic Product"
(CMS). Allocating excessive funds towards healthcare reform is impractical given the already
substantial expenditure on health services in the US. It is imperative to allocate resources to other
sectors of the country.
Subsequently, to effectively address the internal prejudices exhibited by certain
healthcare professionals, it is imperative to identify the underlying causes of these biases and
implement measures to eradicate them. The upbringing of an individual in a certain setting might
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influence their education and beliefs on various races, sexual orientations, disabilities, and so on.
Family, friends, religion, and the media are the primary variables that commonly contribute to
internalized bias. Social care providers can include these attitudes and ideas into their
communication and activities. In fact, "Research indicates that the implicit biases and racist
attitudes of healthcare workers are fundamental contributing factors to race-based health
inequities''(Ricks, et al., 2021). The solutions should aim to expose and address the
discriminatory attitudes present in social services, while also educating care providers on how to
avoid or overcome these biases towards minority groups. While a remedy may address certain
problems related to prejudice against patients in healthcare, it is as crucial to address the issue
inside the healthcare providers themselves.
Ultimately, individuals across the globe should be entitled to equal access to medical
care. Solutions should be advantageous to individuals without causing detriment to any other
group. Universal access to healthcare should be guaranteed to all individuals, regardless of their
identity or geographical location. In order to effectively achieve equity in healthcare and social
care systems, it is imperative that all individuals are afforded equal treatment and have equal
access to services. Implementing a remedy that harms one group in order to benefit another is
futile and merely shifts the problem to different individuals.
Brainstorming of Possible Solutions
By considering the specified criteria, it is possible to develop strategies that effectively
reduce the prevalence of discrimination in health and social care services. These strategies
should address important variables such as language challenges, stereotypes/biases, and
disabilities. Patients lacking a shared language with their healthcare practitioner may encounter
difficulties in articulating their needs and comprehending medical information. These "language
How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities
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barriers between nurses and patients increasingly affect nursing practice, regardless of where
care is delivered. In the United States, a language other than English is now spoken at home in
one of five households" (Squires). To tackle this issue, one can apply solutions such as offering
language interpretation and culturally inclusive services, such as translators and materials in
many languages. Additionally, training healthcare providers in cultural competency can also be
employed.
Stereotypes and biases can exert detrimental effects on communication within the realm
of health and social care services. Patients belonging to specific social groups may encounter
stereotypes or prejudice from healthcare personnel, resulting in ineffective communication and a
lack of confidence. Examples of individuals who may be susceptible include, "minority ethnic
populations, immigrants, the poor, low health-literacy individuals, sexual minorities,children,
women, the elderly, the mentally ill, and the overweight and the disabled" (FitzGerald, Hurst).
One possible way to address these challenges is to provide healthcare providers with training in
cultural competency. This training would enable them to better understand the cultural
backgrounds, beliefs, and values of their patients, and to deliver care that is culturally
appropriate.
Individuals with disabilities may have difficulties while talking with healthcare
professionals. Using the National Health Interview Survey, researchers in a 2018 study published
in the Journal of General Internal Medicine compared the health conditions, behaviors, and
healthcare utilization of family members with and without communication illness (CD). They
came to the conclusion that "persons with CD were as likely as those without CD to have usual
sources of care for routine care and illness. Despite this, they frequently reported unmet
healthcare needs due to cost, lack of availability, and difficulty finding healthcare providers"
How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities
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(Stransky, Jensen, Morris). Implementing measures such as offering assistive technology such as
hearing aids and wheelchairs, ensuring healthcare facilities are accessible by installing ramps and
elevators, and providing education to patients to facilitate communication can effectively
guarantee equitable access to healthcare services for individuals with disabilities.
Evaluation of Solution Options
All the aforementioned solutions are feasible alternatives that can be incorporated into the
healthcare system to benefit various communities. However, it is crucial to carefully evaluate the
pros and cons of each option before determining which ones would be the most advantageous,
efficient, and cost-effective. First and foremost, the provision of assistive technology offers
numerous advantages. Individuals with disabilities typically have limited physical capabilities
compared to others, thus necessitating the use of assistive technology to enhance accessibility in
tasks such as making appointments, ordering prescriptions, and seeking mental health assistance.
This would help many people, as mentioned in the "Global Report on Assistive Technology"
written by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, which "reveals that more than
2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or apps
that support communication and cognition." While this is an extremely beneficial option, the
expenditures for assistive technology are far too great. In a research paper conducted and
published by Oxford University, they stated, "In 2016, the global number of dementia cases was
43.8 million [1] and annual global costs of dementia (mostly from informal and social care)
could grow to $2 trillion by 2030". This estimated expenditure value would be roughly 30% of
the total budget allocated for healthcare in the future that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services predicted "is expected to average 5.3 percent and reach $6.8 trillion by 2030" based on
the National Health Expenditure prediction. In addition to being affordable, assistive technology
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provides a viable alternative for individuals experiencing prejudice within the healthcare system
by providing them with more channels of communication.
One further approach that could help people of different backgrounds interact better is to
find innovative ways to teach them about healthcare. Having a better understanding of healthcare
and how it works brings numerous advantages. Patients can have a better understanding of their
illnesses and treatment options through patient education, which in turn helps improve
communication with their healthcare provider. Patterns between health and education indicators
were found in an analysis of 26 OECD nations' empirical data from 1995 to 2015, which came
from the World Bank and the OECD. The conclusion gathered from the data was that "Adults
with higher educational attainment have better health and lifespans compared to their
less-educated peers" (Archives of Public Health 2020). Better treatment and health outcomes
have been demonstrated to result from increased communication between healthcare
practitioners and patients, as well as from patients' access to accurate information. This concept
has the potential to enhance health services, but it is unrealistic because not everyone can afford
the necessary education. Income is the most significant barrier that can affect how many people
get the information they need to improve their health. In 2022, 4,032 out of 8,022 working-age
individuals surveyed by the Commonwealth Fund were found to have insufficient health
insurance. Patients who do not have health insurance may stop getting the information they need
from their doctors regarding their health because they avoid going to the doctor as much as
possible to save money. Moreover, this method does not affect healthcare professionals and
physicians who are not inclined to provide patients with the necessary information. While patient
education can enhance communication, the presence of uncooperative staff, driven by
discriminatory ideas, will hinder the resolution of the issue of unfair treatment.
How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities
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In addition, healthcare providers' expertise and training are just as important as patients'
for providing the right care. According to CDC studies and academics, the American healthcare
system is designed to disadvantage people of color, hence it's clear that prejudice stems from
within the system. Healthcare providers can better meet the requirements of patients from a wide
range of cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and other demographic backgrounds by receiving training in
cultural competency. This special training can even "...foster cultural safety and help providers
recognize their own racism, power imbalances, and culture biases" (County HealthRankings,
2020). Organizations such as the Caring for Women Veterans program have shown cultural
competency training "...improved providers' gender sensitivity and knowledge and increased
training uptake more when delivered in in-person groups compared to a standard web-based
training" (County HealthRankings, 2020). Although this strategy meets the requirements, one
could argue that healthcare personnel will not be motivated to change as a result. It might be
challenging to expect people to embrace new, inclusive environments after being taught racist,
homophobic, sexist, or ableist ideas from an early age by their upbringing.
Lastly, there may be a decrease in the efficacy of communication due to language
obstacles that patients and healthcare practitioners encounter. The National Library of Medicine
reviewed the literature and concluded that "language barriers in healthcare lead to
miscommunication between the medical professional and patient, reducing both parties'
satisfaction and decreasing the quality of healthcare delivery and patient safety." Statistics from
the US Immigration Services reveal that 67% of foreign nationals with 15 years or more of
residency in the US are not proficient in English, so this should come as no surprise. Healthcare
providers and patients who are unable to communicate effectively in English can benefit from
language interpretation services. Using online translation tools like MediBabble and Google
How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities
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Translate led to a 92% improvement in healthcare delivery quality, employee and patient
happiness, and patient safety (Shamsi, 2020). On the other hand, this technique does increase the
duration of doctor appointments and is expensive.
The Best Three Solution Options Selected
Among the remedies proposed, the implementation of cultural competence training for
healthcare providers, the establishment of more physically accessible healthcare facilities, and
the provision of language interpretation services are the most advantageous for the healthcare
system. Providing cultural competency training to healthcare providers can enhance
communication and foster better understanding between providers and patients. Moreover, it can
assist healthcare providers in delivering more suitable and efficient treatment to individuals from
diverse backgrounds, as they are less prone to engaging in discriminatory practices that
marginalize specific minority groups. Next, enhancing the physical accessibility of healthcare
facilities can enhance health outcomes by eliminating barriers that individuals with impairments
may encounter. By establishing an inclusive and accommodating setting, individuals with
disabilities may experience more comfort in seeking medical assistance and reduce instances of
discrimination. Furthermore, through the provision of language interpretation services,
healthcare systems can guarantee effective communication between individuals who speak
diverse languages, particularly immigrants or individuals from different racial and ethnic
backgrounds, and healthcare professionals. This ensures that their healthcare needs are
accurately conveyed and that they receive the appropriate medications for their specific
conditions. If all of these alternatives are implemented appropriately, it is quite probable that a
successful healthcare system with high patient satisfaction will be achieved.
Implementation of Solution
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In order to create healthcare facilities that are more physically accessible, it is important
to consider the physical, cultural, and linguistic aspects of accessibility. This will help ensure that
staff and facilities can communicate effectively and provide patients from diverse backgrounds
care that is suitable and easy to understand. A "needs assessment" would help various healthcare
providers better understand the requirements of various demographics. Conducting patient
surveys, meeting with various organizations, and analyzing available data will establish a
foundation for understanding the specific needs of each social group. Subsequently, healthcare
facilities can incorporate the various requirements into their infrastructure. Healthcare
institutions should not only enhance accessibility in their facilities but also initiate outreach and
education programs to ensure that marginalized individuals are informed about the healthcare
options accessible to them. By employing both of these methods, along with ongoing
surveillance and assessment to enhance performance, individuals from diverse social
backgrounds can experience increased ease and enhanced communication with the healthcare
sector. This ensures that they have equal opportunities to voice their concerns and opinions to
healthcare professionals. By enhancing comprehension of the healthcare system and taking into
account the requirements of all societal factions, the discrepancy among various groups will
lessen, resulting in an equitable and efficient means of communication within the healthcare
system for all individuals.
Conclusion
Out of the 2137 US people studied, 21% reported encountering some type of prejudice
inside the health care system, while 72% reported experiencing it on many occasions. These
numbers, sourced from the National Library of Medicine, are among numerous surveys and
research that consistently demonstrate the prevalence of discrimination hindering patients from
How Communication in Health and Social Care Services Affects Social Identities
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accessing necessary care. Despite its intended purpose of assisting individuals, the healthcare and
social care system nevertheless exhibits a significant proportion of individuals who perceive a
lack of assistance due to their race, handicap, or other personal attributes. To effectively deliver
the necessary care, medical services can eliminate language barriers and mitigate prejudice
towards minority groups by offering language interpretation services, training healthcare
providers to accommodate diverse cultural and disabled needs, and ensuring accessibility in
healthcare facilities.
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Acknowledgment Page
Ricky Floyd
A. Introduction
B. Definition and analysis of the problem
H. Conclusion
Payton Armstrong
C. Criteria for establishing possible solutions
D. Brainstorm of solution options
F. The best three solution options selected
Aymen Sherefedin
E. Evaluation of solution options
F. The best three solution options selected
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G. Discussion of how to implement the solution options