Turning the Tide for DEI Leaders: How Video Can Be a Powerful Ally in Healthcare

The recent Modern Healthcare article, "How healthcare DEI leaders are battling waning support," paints a concerning picture: DEI initiatives are under attack, leaders are facing burnout, and resources are dwindling. While the situation is challenging, there's an often-underutilized tool that can help healthcare organizations turn the tide: video.

Understanding the Pain Points

The article by Mari Devereaux, published on September 5th, 2024, highlights several significant challenges:

• Political Backlash: The rise of opposition to DEI initiatives, particularly in conservative states, has put these programs at risk. This backlash manifests in legislative actions like Florida's "Stop WOKE Act" and lawsuits challenging diversity requirements.
• Resource Constraints: Many DEI teams are understaffed and underfunded, leading to burnout and hindering progress. The article mentions that DEI professionals often have fewer resources than those in health equity roles.
• Shifting Focus to Health Equity: While important, the increased emphasis on health equity roles can sometimes overshadow the broader goals of DEI. The demand for health equity workers has risen, while interest in DEI-focused positions has stagnated.
• Communication Challenges: Clearly articulating the impact and value of DEI programs can be difficult in a contentious climate. Some organizations have even toned down their DEI messaging or disbanded their DEI offices altogether.

How Video Can Help

Video offers a powerful way to address these challenges and empower DEI leaders:

The First Way: Amplifying Support and Countering Backlash

In the face of political opposition and skepticism, video can be a powerful tool to showcase the unwavering commitment to DEI within your organization and the positive impact it has on patients and the community.

• Executive Testimonials: Videos featuring senior leaders expressing their unwavering commitment to DEI can showcase internal support and counter external negativity. These videos can highlight the alignment of DEI goals with the organization's mission and values.
• Patient Success Stories: Highlighting how DEI initiatives directly improve patient care and outcomes—through culturally competent care, improved access, or reduced disparities—can demonstrate their tangible value, making them harder to dismiss.
• Subtle Narratives: In politically sensitive areas, videos can focus on health equity successes, subtly reinforcing the importance of diversity and inclusion without triggering controversy. For instance, a video showcasing a community health program that successfully addresses disparities can implicitly convey the value of DEI.

The Second Way: Addressing Resource Constraints and Burnout

Limited resources and overwhelming workloads can hinder the progress of DEI initiatives. Video can streamline processes, amplify impact, and boost morale for DEI teams.

• Streamlining Training & Onboarding: Video onboarding and educational materials can reduce the manual workload for DEI teams, freeing them up for strategic work. Imagine interactive videos that explain complex DEI concepts or microlearning modules that employees can access at their own pace.
• Showcasing Impact with Data: Videos that use clear visuals and compelling storytelling to demonstrate how DEI ties to grant funding, patient outcomes, and overall organizational success can help secure resources and foster cross-departmental collaboration.
• Employee Spotlights & Testimonials: Celebrating diverse team members and sharing their stories through video can create a sense of belonging and shared success, improving morale, retention, and attracting top talent.

The Third Way: Bridging DEI and Health Equity

While DEI and health equity are distinct, they are deeply interconnected. Video can help illustrate this connection and showcase how a diverse and inclusive workforce leads to better health outcomes for all.

• Case Study Videos: Showcasing how DEI programs directly improve workplace culture, patient experiences, and community engagement can illustrate the inextricable link between diversity and better health outcomes for all. These videos can feature real employees, patients, and community members sharing their experiences.
• Collaborative Messaging: Videos that feature DEI and health equity leaders working together can highlight the integrated nature of their efforts. This can break down silos, foster collaboration, and demonstrate a unified commitment to a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.

The Fourth Way: Clear Communication and Vision Setting

Transparent communication and a clear vision for the future are vital for successful DEI initiatives. Video can bring these elements to life, making them more engaging and impactful for all stakeholders.

• Progress Reports: Visualizing DEI metrics through animated charts, infographics, and impactful storytelling can make data more engaging, accessible, and persuasive. This can help demonstrate progress, secure buy-in, and justify continued investment in DEI.
• Visionary Roadmaps: Videos outlining the future goals of DEI programs and the concrete steps to achieve them can inspire staff, demonstrate long-term commitment, and create a shared sense of purpose.
• Internal Communication Campaigns: Sharing videos internally that educate staff about DEI initiatives, address common misconceptions, and foster dialogue can build a culture of inclusivity and allyship.

From Existing to Exceptional: Elevating Your DEI Video Strategy

Many healthcare organizations already have some video content related to DEI. However, in today's challenging climate, it's essential to go beyond basic testimonials and create a more strategic and impactful video strategy. Here are some scenarios where enhancing your video approach can make a real difference:

• Scenario 1: You have employee testimonials, but they lack authenticity.
  • Solution: Go beyond scripted statements. Capture candid conversations, on-the-job footage, and personal stories that reveal the true impact of DEI on your employees' lives and work.
• Scenario 2: You have data visualizations, but they're dry and un-engaging.
  • Solution: Transform data into compelling stories. Use animation, motion graphics, and powerful narratives to bring your DEI metrics to life and showcase the progress you've made.
• Scenario 3: You've highlighted past successes, but haven't shown continued progress.
  • Solution: Create "Where Are They Now?" videos that revisit past DEI initiatives and showcase their long-term impact. Highlight the individuals and communities who have benefited, and emphasize the ongoing journey toward equity.
• Scenario 4: Your videos are internally focused and don't address external challenges.
  • Solution: Develop videos that speak directly to the current political climate. Showcase your commitment to DEI, highlight the positive impact on patient care, and emphasize the importance of inclusivity for a thriving healthcare system.

An example of a longitudinal video. One concept is running a "split screen" to see how a patient (ideally one previously recorded) has been impacted by health equity today.

Showcasing Progress: The Power of Longitudinal Storytelling

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, it's easy to focus on the latest initiatives and forget to revisit past successes. However, showcasing progress over time is crucial for demonstrating the long-term impact of DEI efforts and building momentum for future initiatives.

Healthcare video with enough planning can be a powerful tool for longitudinal storytelling. By revisiting past DEI initiatives and highlighting their ongoing impact, you can:

• Demonstrate real progress: Show how your organization has evolved and improved over time.
• Build trust and credibility: Prove that your commitment to DEI is more than just lip service.
• Inspire others: Motivate stakeholders to continue supporting and investing in DEI efforts.

Goodsides: Your Partner in Empowering DEI Through Video

At Goodsides, we're not just video creators; we're storytellers, strategists, and passionate advocates for a more inclusive and equitable world. We understand the unique challenges DEI leaders face in healthcare, from navigating political pushback to securing resources and demonstrating impact.

We believe in the power of video to:

• Humanize DEI: Put faces and stories to the data, making DEI more relatable and impactful.
• Inspire Action: Motivate and mobilize stakeholders through compelling narratives and visuals.
• Drive Change: Shift mindsets, foster understanding, and build a culture of inclusivity.

Conclusion

Despite the headwinds, DEI remains critical to the success of healthcare organizations. Video can be a powerful tool to overcome challenges, amplify successes, and build a more inclusive future for all.

Call to Action

Contact Goodsides today for a free consultation. Let's discuss how we can partner with you to harness the power of video to support your DEI initiatives and make a lasting impact.

Remember: The fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion is ongoing. But with the right tools and strategies, we can turn the tide and create a healthcare system that truly serves everyone. Let's make it happen, together.