CBPP Statistics indicate that over 10% of African-Americans didn’t have any insurance in 2017. In contrast, just 6% of non-Hispanic whites were uninsured. Similarly, Blacks and Hispanics are more vulnerable to ailments such as diabetes. These are some examples of “healthcare disparities” rampant in our society. We have also termed these differences “healthcare inequalities” where some groups don’t have access to the medical facilities they deserve. These inequalities exist due to prejudices, stereotyping, and uncertainty in the health sector.
So, what can social workers do to eliminate these disparities? They can effectively address these differences and contribute to the betterment of our societal well-being.
Social workers eradicating healthcare disparities
Again, how do we define healthcare disparity? A definition accepted by the government describes healthcare inequalities as differences connected with socio-economic disadvantages. These disparities affect some marginalized communities that are already facing discrimination. Few socio-economic factors contribute to these differences, including age, religion, disability, sex/gender, race/ethnicity, annual income, mental health status, or sexual orientation. For instance, African-American males and Mexican-American females suffer from higher obesity rates. Moreover, young white people are more prone to binge drinking. These facts indicate the urgent need for social workers to take meaningful action and eradicate inequalities.
But what competencies and skills should social workers possess to bring the necessary changes in the healthcare sector? Remaining abreast of changing policies and laws, effectively communicating with state authorities, and devising concrete strategies are just some of the crucial competencies. Continuing education can help social workers enhance their academic expertise while acquiring the skills needed to eliminate healthcare inequalities. Leveraging eLearning options today, students can become integral figures of the social welfare system. We recommend aspirants obtain an online masters social work degree to help people access better medical services and facilities. This degree will allow you to eradicate inequalities from the healthcare industry and help everyone attain equal medical services.
Let’s explain some methods with which social workers may address these disparities:
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Conducting post-discharge follow-ups
Timely follow-ups can ensure that patients are receiving the prescribed treatment. So, how will social workers help patients with their post-hospital plans? They can help you connect with therapy or counseling resources. Since some patients require continued assistance, social workers can help them find rehabilitation opportunities. Social workers also help their clients afford the costly medicines and treatments necessary to recover from their diseases.
Fighting chronic ailments
It’s reported that 68% of palliative care programs include social workers on their teams. After nurses and physicians, social workers are the most crucial members of such teams. They work towards ensuring relief for patients who suffer from serious illnesses. Enhancing the client’s well-being, helping them recover from the ailment, and enabling their family to communicate effectively with caregivers are their primary goals. That’s how they ascertain improved health outcomes and the patient’s quick recovery.
Promoting cultural competency
Social workers have struggled to promote cultural competency in the healthcare sector. Consequently, it allows medical workers to implement strategies addressing healthcare inequalities wherever necessary. Social workers also emphasize the need to tolerate these differences as well as promote them. Many patients prefer being treated by nurses who speak their language and understand their culture. Social workers – therefore – address the need to produce and hire more bilingual and diverse RNs. That’s how disparities are appropriately removed.
Helping uninsured communities
Social workers haven’t struggled in vain for the last several decades. Their support facilitated the emergence of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. They have been demanding the execution of policies for eradicating healthcare inequalities that resulted in the creation of ACA, giving uninsured Americans access to medical facilities. There are some rare studies regarding the social workers’ role in Medicaid reforms. They show how social workers leverage care coordination and case management to bring the required reforms in the health advocacy sector. Consequently, their endeavors have successfully enabled uninsured communities to get the medical facilities they deserve without discrimination.
Raising healthcare awareness
Social workers aren’t just advocates but also activists who spread awareness about the existence of these disparities. Unfortunately, an average American isn’t familiar with healthcare inequalities in the country. In 2006, a survey showed how 50-60 percent of respondents believed Latinos and Blacks received the same care quality as Caucasians.
On the other hand, the medical workforce had over two-thirds of their members admitting that these disparities existed in 2002. So, spreading awareness ascertains that both physicians and ordinary people are taking proper measures to combat discrimination. Increasing people’s knowledge leads to diminished inequalities.
Making shared decisions
A study shows that over 52% of Americans aged 18+ believe that nurses/physicians should involve them in the decision-making process. It means there are still patients who wish to be more involved in their healthcare decisions. Therefore, social workers can advocate on these patients’ behalf and empower their families. Enhancing culturally competent communication will allow the minority groups to voice their opinions regarding decisions affecting their mental/physical well-being.
Producing more caregivers
Since the ‘70s, efforts have been made to create better facilities for medically challenged regions in the United States. The American workforce is predominantly Caucasian and less likely to reside among remote, underprivileged communities. Therefore, social workers promote the production of caregivers who come from diverse populaces. These providers are more accessible for marginalized communities, communicate with them effectively, and prevent cultural barriers from hindering their services.
Conclusion
Healthcare disparities became more apparent after the emergence of the coronavirus when experts realized how some groups were more vulnerable. We have several examples of how inequalities in healthcare influence people and the services they receive. Examples of healthcare disparities include rising mortality rates, declining mental health, plummeting life expectancy, being uninsured, or lacking proper access to medical facilities.
So, how do social workers eliminate these differences? They advocate on patients’ behalf and make them realize their rights. They also facilitate communication between patients and their physicians to ensure optimal care. After getting discharged from a clinic/hospital, patients remain in contact with social workers who keep following up with the patient’s health status. Eliminating the issues of today is no cakewalk, especially in a complex sector like Healthcare. Nonetheless, social workers strive day and night to eradicate all disparities and inequalities present in this sector.
