Chapter 9
CRITICAL THINKING ACTIVITIES
1. The Guidance for the National Healthcare Disparities Report (Institute of Medicine, 2002) outlines the annual National Healthcare Disparity Report (
qual/nhdr03/nhdrsum03.htm). This report tracks four measurements: (1) socioeconomic status, (2) access to the healthcare system, (3) healthcare services and quality, and (4) geographic disparities in healthcare. Go to the site. What can you learn about disparity in health care? Summarize a key point related to each of the four measurements.
2. The Provider’s Guide to Quality and Culture is an extensive compendium of information about diversity. Review one of sections on this site that interests you ( (When you get to the end of the screen, please note whether there is a “next” page noted; if so, click to continue the assigned section.) What is relevant, in the content that you reviewed, to your view of nursing?
3. Watch an episode of a favorite TV show, including the commercials. This does not have to be a health-related TV show. As you watch the show, keep notes describing ethnic, racial, and culture issues that arise. Note who is playing what types of the roles. Also note communication, clothing, attitudes, values, and any other factors related to diversity. Do the same for the commercials. Share your findings in an online course discussion forum.
4. Respond to the following questions with brief, clear responses.
a. How would you describe yourself ethnically/racially/culturally? Has your view of ethnicity/race/culture changed over time? If so, how?
b. If you are a member of an ethnic or racial group, describe the group.
c. Do you think people are treated differently because of race or ethnicity? If so, describe an example.
d. If you are a member of an ethnic or racial group, have you been treated differently yourself because of your own ethnicity or race? If so, how?
e. When did you first become aware that people were different ethnically or racially?
5. If you were a member of a minority group, would you want to have a healthcare professional who is a member of that minority group care for you? Why?
6. Review Healthy People 2010, Chapter 11: Health Communication (
people.gov/document/html/volume1/11healthcom.htm). What is important about health communication? How does this content relate to patient-centered care?
7. Review the following material on Heath Literacy:
hlthlit.html With your team, discuss the identified vulnerable populations and their relevance to health literacy.
8. Learn more about critical thinking by visiting these two sites:
.org/aboutCT/ourConceptCT.cfm
Describe how you might apply some of this information to your own critical thinking.
9. Visit the Joint Commission Web site and learn what this important healthcare organization is emphasizing about diversity in healthcare (
.org/PatientSafety/HLC/). What can you learn that might help you be more culturally competent? How does information like this improve health care?
10. Divide into teams. Have each team member reviewing one of the following.
a. What Health Care Consumers Need to Know About Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Healthcare. Find commentary at
b. What Health Care System Administrators Need to Know About Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Healthcare. Find commentary at
c. Unequal Treatment: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know about Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health-Care. Find commentary at
Discuss your findings together, noting similarities and differences.
11. The Sullivan report is a government report on diversity issues in the healthcare workforce. Read what the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) had to say about this important landmark report.
What is your opinion about what you have learned from the AACN statement?