Diversity issues such as language differences, religious differences, cultural differences,
gender, race and ethnic differences are not disparities in and of themselves. They are just
differences. When they are not understood, valued and appreciated for their impact on the
delivery of patient care, the healing process and communication/trust, they become
contributors to disparities and unequal medical outcomes.(Hobby and Dreachslin 2007, 6) In
this installment, the last of this column, we explore this conclusion. We contend that …