Diversity among health care leaders in Canada: a cross-sectional study of perceived gender and race

Abstract

ace and gender-based disparities in health care leadership 1-4 may negatively affect the health of marginalized patients. 5,6 Diverse leadership is an integral step in establishing equitable health care institutions that serve the needs of all community members. 7 Many barriers prevent racialized people, women and gender nonbinary individuals from attaining leadership positions, including reduced access to networking opportunities, 8-10 discrimination from patients and colleagues 2,11-13 and an institutional culture that views white, male leaders as most effective. 14,15 The intersectional effects of discrimination may intensify these barriers for racialized women and nonbinary people. 16,17 Fundamentally, diversity and inclusion in our institutions is important on the basis of basic human rights for all people. 18 Health care leadership in Europe and the United States is thought to lack gender and racial diversity. [19][20][21][22] The degree to which these imbalances exist across Canadian health care institutions is not clear. Despite past evidence that men hold a disproportionate number of health care leadership positions in Canada, 23,24 a recent study noted gender parity among leaders of provincial and terri torial ministries of health. 25 Among university faculty 26,27 and administration, 28 racialized individuals appear to be under-represented, suggesting that a similar trend may exist in health care leadership.Race and gender can be studied in many ways. 29 Perceived race is a measure of "the race that others believe you to be," and these assessments "influence how people are treated and form the basis of racial discrimination including nondeliberate actions

Pharmacy Forecast Australia 2022: key findings

“…This demonstrates that gender and cultural diversity within the profession is gaining recognition. Internationally, research into this issue continues, with a recent Canadian study of 3056 healthcare leaders finding that gender‐based parity was present but that representation based on race was not 38 …”

“…Internationally, research into this issue continues, with a recent Canadian study of 3056 healthcare leaders finding that gender-based parity was present but that representation based on race was not. 38 It is clear that ongoing work to accept, encourage, and achieve diversity will be positive for health care, the profession, organisations and, most of all, patients. Women account for 51% of the population 39 and represent 61.7% of the pharmacy workforce.…”

Women’s Participation in Leadership Roles in a Single Canadian Paramedic Service

“…There is growing recognition of the importance of a diverse healthcare workforce as a means of promoting health equity 1 . In order to be attuned to the health and social needs of patients, healthcare institutions need to be demographically reflective of the communities they serve 2 .…”

Representation and reconciliation—Indigenous leadership for health in Canada

“…3 In a 2022 study of more than 3000 healthcare leaders in Canada, however, executives from ethnic minority groups were substantially under-represented in the populations they served. 4…”

“…Diverse leadership in healthcare makes organisations better, both economically and in terms of outcomes and patient experiences 3. In a 2022 study of more than 3000 healthcare leaders in Canada, however, executives from ethnic minority groups were substantially under-represented in the populations they served 4…”