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‘One size does not fit all’: Perspectives on diversity in community aged care
Author(s) -
Meyer Claudia,
Appannah Arti,
McMillan Sally,
Browning Colette,
Ogrin Rajna
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12534
Subject(s) - diversity (politics) , empowerment , judgement , health care , psychology , diversity training , raising (metalworking) , nursing , public relations , sociology , medicine , political science , geometry , mathematics , anthropology , law
Objectives Typically, older people are viewed via a single health condition, yet health outcomes are likely impacted by the intersection of many individual characteristics. Promoting inclusive health care is underpinned by reducing bias, respectful communication and supporting individual needs and preferences. This study explores perspectives of community aged care workers on diversity training and implementing training into practice. Methods Ninety community aged care workers were telephone‐interviewed three months after a one‐day diversity training workshop. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Results Five themes emerged: ‘raising awareness’; ‘reserving judgement’; ‘confidence and empowerment to embed diversity into practice’; ‘communicating effectively’; and ‘thinking about change … but’. Conclusions Diversity concepts were positively received, but applying diversity principles into practice is more difficult. Recommendations to promote inclusive health care included raising awareness of bias, communicating with inclusive language and embedding diversity concepts into community aged care practice by addressing individual, organisational and wider system constraints.