Embracing our responsibility for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a relatively new concept in chiropractic, but its importance has never been greater. Our patient demographic is broadening as we welcome more patients from diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences. Recognising the unique characteristics and needs of all patients is a critical part of our commitment to delivering the highest standards of patient care.

To achieve any meaningful impact EDI must be viewed as a golden thread that weaves throughout a chiropractor’s career and a core component of our education. Recent research by the GCC’s EDI Working Group found that although 58 per cent of registrants recognise the importance of promoting equality and respect for all individuals, just 34 per cent of chiropractors consider EDI a core responsibility of a healthcare professional. I believe this figure is driven by the view held by some chiropractors that EDI is not a key consideration because they treat all patients with the same level of respect. But there lies the issue – whilst all patients should be treated respectfully, they shouldn’t all be treated the same.

Embracing uniqueness

Incorporating EDI effectively into your policies and daily practice is about embracing the different individual needs of our patients and adapting our approach accordingly to meet these specific needs. This is how we deliver excellent patient care.

This includes considering factors such as the practical aspects of being a clinician. For example, understanding how skin disorders look on different skin colours as well as our interpersonal skills and how we communicate and build relationships with patients from different cultural backgrounds.

In my view, an important part of our chiropractic education needs to be focused on understanding the huge adversities that people from some cultures have faced historically and how these experiences have led to a lack of trust in healthcare practitioners in general. If we recognise these feelings, we can tailor how we communicate to these patients with a focus on gaining trust and assuaging any fears.

Involving patients in EDI

To drive forward EDI practices across the chiropractic profession and impact patient care, I believe we must give patients a voice so that we capture and fully understand their concerns and needs. From these important conversations we can improve, for example, how we talk to patients transitioning gender or better understand what provisions need to be in place to ensure Muslim patients feel comfortable. Using their first-hand experiences to inform our education will not only be incredibly meaningful but most importantly will be authentic.

Although EDI is a relatively new concept for the chiropractic profession, we are making significant progress. EDI is becoming an integral part of our education programmes and it is a core component for the 2023/24 CPD year. The GCC’s 15-point action plan highlights the genuine desire to ensure the profession is as diverse and inclusive as possible, providing equal opportunities for all chiropractors and the patients. As healthcare professionals, we all have a responsibility to recognise diversity and individual choice.

Learn more about the work of the GCC’s EDI Working Group