Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1468749
34 PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE 1 in 4 older adults of color report discrimination in US healthcare, study finds By Kelly Gooch O lder Americans are experiencing racial and ethnic discrimination that is taking a toll on their health, according to an analysis released April 21 by the Commonwealth Fund. For the analysis, researchers examined experiences of racial discrimination in healthcare among Latino/Hispan- ic and Black older adults using the Commonwealth Fund 2021 International Health Policy Survey of Older Adults. The survey, conducted from March 1-June 14, 2021, was taken by a nationally representative sample of 1,969 U.S. adults 60 and older. The survey was also taken by 16,868 adults 65 and older in 10 other high-income countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Four findings from the analysis: 1. Among the 11 high-income countries surveyed, 32 per- cent of older adults in the U.S. reported that their health system treats people differently because of their race or ethnicity. That compares to 17 percent of older adults in Canada and 16 percent of older adults in Switzerland. 2. In the U.S., 1 in 4 Black and Latino/Hispanic older adults said they have been treated unfairly or felt their health concerns were not taken seriously because of their racial or ethnic background. That is about eight times the rate for older white adults who said the same. 3. Twenty-seven percent of older adults in the U.S. who experienced discrimination based on race or ethnicity reported not receiving the care they felt they needed. 4. In the U.S., older patients experiencing discrimination based on race or ethnicity have more healthcare needs and are more likely to report material hardships and feel dissatisfied with their care than older patients who do not report discrimination, the report said. n What's on patient experience leaders' to-do list this spring By Rick Evans, Senior Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Experience Officer of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital I n late March, I did something I haven't done in a long time. I went in person to a professional conference. e meeting was the "ElevatePX" conference sponsored by e Beryl Institute, an orga- nization dedicated to advancing the human experience in healthcare. e Beryl community is over 60,000 strong and is composed of patient experience leaders, patient advocates and other organizations involved in patient experience work. is was the first time I have been in the same physical space with my colleagues in over two years. It was a powerful moment — if a bit unsettling to be in crowds again — but also a wonderful op- portunity to reconnect with people who do the same work I do all across America. It was an upliing few days, filled with themes worth sharing as we all continue the work of improving patient experience. First, nearly every organization I encountered at the meeting was engaged in work to recover lost ground in patient experience perfor- mance as we move through what we all hope is the last phase of the pandemic. We are coming through a national crisis in patient experi- ence that is evidenced in declining ratings from patients nationwide. I spoke with many colleagues about how they are creating plans to renew focus on patient experience. Some organizations shared how they are restoring core best practices within their organizations such as bedside rounding and post-discharge calls. Many are trying to bring innovation to their patient experience, leveraging virtual en- counters that consumers are more comfortable with post-pandemic. It is heartening to see that, just as there is a national crisis in patient experience, there is also a national recovery underway. Every health- care leader should be asking themselves what your plan is to restore the experience for our patients and families. Another theme was a pervasive focus on equity in healthcare. ere were numerous discussions centered on equity in outcomes, but also equity in the experience itself. ere were presentations regarding eq- uity in measurement (collecting data that helps us understand who our patients are), equity in access to services and technology, and equity in design of services for the future. Many organizations are working through challenges associated with collecting accurate data on racial, ethnic and sexual identity. Collection of this data requires careful communication to strengthen trust with our patients and families. is work is critical for us to be able to effectively target efforts to address disparities in our communities. Hospital leaders should mobilize their patient experience teams and patient advocates to help with this work, as we are experts in building relationships. Judging by the energy around this issue at the conference, there are many in the patient expe- rience community who are ready to be involved. A third theme was discussions of the return of volunteers to the healthcare space. Another hidden impact of the pandemic was the near-total disappearance of volunteers from the healthcare landscape. When restrictions were put in place for visitation at the bedside, many of the same restrictions were also put into place for volunteers. Many volunteers also ended their commitments out of concern for their own safety. As vaccines have arrived and we now