One of the blind spots that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers have started to notice in their work is inclusivity. Inclusivity means providing equal treatment to people who might otherwise be excluded. From the most recent Future of Nursing Report to our webinar with Osmosis’ own Dr. Marina Horiates Kerekes, we are examining the ways in which access to healthcare, and the treatment received by various populations, has not been equitable, despite our best intentions.
One of the most important aspects of inclusivity is the language we use when interacting with patients and their families. From intake to discharge to continued communication with patients, the word choices that healthcare workers use can define the experience and have a serious impact on health outcomes.