Diversity often is used in the context of legal requirements as mandated by discrimination and harassment laws, and in the past has referred to protected classes, such as gender, race, color and religion. In fact, diversity encompasses all of the potential differences that affect how we interpret and behave, differences that are so commonly encountered that we might fail to understand their power. It is important to take a look at how diversity impacts a growing and changing healthcare industry.

Part I. Identify three ways the growing diversity of the health care workforce affects the management of a health care organization today.

Part II. Discuss what management can do to enhance their own and their employees’ awareness of the growing diversity of the community served.