The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has released "The Roadmap to Reduce Disparities," which outlines six steps healthcare organizations should take to make healthcare services more equitable.
The roadmap was developed under "Finding Answers: Disparities Research for Change," an initiative by RWJF to evaluate projects aimed at reducing racial and ethnic healthcare disparities.
Here are the six steps:
1. Link quality and equity. "Equity is intrinsic to quality improvement," the roadmap states. Healthcare providers should evaluate quality of care disparities when implementing quality improvement projects.
2. Create a culture of equity. Healthcare leaders should instill among employees and clinicians an awareness of disparities in their own organization.
3. Diagnose the disparity. Conduct a root-cause analysis of healthcare quality disparities in the community.
4. Design the activity. Develop a strategy to address the causes of disparities that were identified in the root-cause analysis.
5. Secure buy-in. Gain the support of stakeholders to ensure the success of strategies to reduce disparities.
6. Implement change. Begin with small changes, measure their effects and adapt strategies as needed.
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The roadmap was developed under "Finding Answers: Disparities Research for Change," an initiative by RWJF to evaluate projects aimed at reducing racial and ethnic healthcare disparities.
Here are the six steps:
1. Link quality and equity. "Equity is intrinsic to quality improvement," the roadmap states. Healthcare providers should evaluate quality of care disparities when implementing quality improvement projects.
2. Create a culture of equity. Healthcare leaders should instill among employees and clinicians an awareness of disparities in their own organization.
3. Diagnose the disparity. Conduct a root-cause analysis of healthcare quality disparities in the community.
4. Design the activity. Develop a strategy to address the causes of disparities that were identified in the root-cause analysis.
5. Secure buy-in. Gain the support of stakeholders to ensure the success of strategies to reduce disparities.
6. Implement change. Begin with small changes, measure their effects and adapt strategies as needed.
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