How do I become more actively inclusive?
Becoming actively inclusive requires a proactive approach and a willingness to learn, grow, and challenge one’s own biases and assumptions.
Here are some steps you can take to become actively inclusive:
- Educate yourself: Read books, articles, and other resources that cover topics such as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Gain a deeper understanding of different cultures, communities, and experiences.
- Examine your own biases: Be honest with yourself about any implicit biases you may hold. Consider taking an implicit bias test to help identify areas for growth.
- Listen and seek out diverse perspectives: Make an effort to actively listen to and seek out perspectives and experiences different from your own. Seek out and engage with people who have different backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
- Take action: Practice being an ally, speaking out against discrimination, and supporting diversity and inclusion in your community and workplace. Use your privilege to advocate for those who are marginalized.
- Hold yourself and others accountable: Challenge yourself and others to make a more inclusive environment, and hold everyone accountable for creating a safe and respectful community.
By making a conscious effort to educate yourself, challenge your biases, and actively support diversity and inclusion, you can become an actively inclusive person.
“On Monday when I spoke about it at our Directorate Huddle, my Deputy Director asked for a couple of examples… I recalled a couple and they were astounded, which, for me, was shocking considering that the majority of the Directorate are long-established clinicians.”
Lack of understanding of LGBTQ+ bodies is hindering access to healthcare for this demographic, creating very real long-term health concerns. The LGBTQ+ community have specific health needs and challenges that we as practitioners need to familiarise ourselves with, in order to support them effectively. Not only that, we need to be working to create inclusive and affirmative practices where our LGBTQ+ patients feel safe. There are several training courses available via our Confident Clinicians Academy including LGBTQ+ healthcare key considerations where you will learn best practice recommendations for asking about gender identity, learn what pathologies may present in this demographic, and how to support these patients, understand what hormonal treatments can impact pain patterns and presentations and so much more.
“Invaluable and so important for so many reasons. I was so impressed with the course delivery and knowledge too. ‘Actively inclusive’ is the phrase to remember! There is work to be done and Oakley Coaching are leading the way.”
If you are short on time or wish to begin your understanding in this topic, we would recommend our shorter self-led training courses conscious inclusion in healthcare or introduction to inclusive language in healthcare.
Personalised training is also available for non-clinicians which is suitable for front of house staff, assistants and reception where patients may experience common issues filling out paperwork, booking treatments, paying and even general chit-chat while waiting for their appointment.
“It’s allowed me to feel better informed and confident to talk to colleagues about the difference for LGBTQ+ people. I feel more confident to be able to have open conversations with trans and non binary people to help support their health better. Thank you.”
If you are looking for more comprehensive training in communication skills specifically for clinicians please do read more about our communications skills course including the curriculum and reviews. Enrolment opens annually in March, we offer an early bird rate to those on our mailing list.
