Survey: 13% of Healthcare Professionals Think Hospitals Have Closed Diversity Gap

Molly Gamble (Twitter) -
Only 13 percent of healthcare professionals believe hospitals have closed the diversity gap in leadership within the past five years, according to a new report from executive search firm Witt/Kieffer.

The 2011 study included 464 respondents, more than half of whom were CEOs, C-suite executives and vice presidents. While few respondents felt hospitals have narrowed the diversity gap overall, more than twice as many — or 31 percent — believed their organizations have become more diverse within the past five years.

There were also gaps in responses when it came to how well minorities are considered for leadership positions. Seventy percent of Caucasian respondents said minorities receive equal consideration, while only 24 percent of respondents overall said minorities receive equal consideration. Less than 9 percent of African American respondents agreed with this statement.

Overall, 62 percent of respondents said diverse hospital leadership helps improve patient satisfaction, 57 percent said it supports successful decision-making and 46 percent said it improves clinical outcomes.

Read the Witt/Kieffer report in full (pdf).

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