Date of Graduation

5-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Health, Human Performance and Recreation

Advisor/Mentor

Wiersma-Mosley, Jacquelyn

Committee Member/Reader

Hammig, Bart

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare patient experiences measured by the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey to healthcare provider’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) is a patient survey given upon patient discharge. The results cumulate to score hospitals on patient experiences. In the sample, there were 392 hospital websites that were evaluated for the existence of policies, procedures, or statements related to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts or stances. Of those, 121 of the hospitals received the lowest possible rating for patient experience (based on the HCAHPS) and the other 271 hospitals received the highest possible rating for patient experience. There was a significant correlation between 5-star hospitals and DEI policies, indicating the importance of DEI policies that may be related to more positive patient experiences. Through comparing hospitals’ reported diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to patient experience, a conversation of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in hospitals can begin. This comparison can also act as a resource for healthcare providers as they set their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and goals.

Keywords

patient experiences, diversity, equity, and inclusion, healthcare providers

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