Young Adults’ Perspectives on Healthcare Workforce Diversity and Communication: Implications for Orthopedic Practice

Purpose To examine young adults’ perspectives on healthcare workforce diversity, representation, language, and trust, and consider their relevance to orthopedic communication and workforce development. Methods We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional online survey of 100 U.S. adults aged 18-25 years using an 18-item questionnaire with multiple-choice, multiple-response, and open-ended items. Descriptive statistics and exploratory subgroup comparisons were performed. Results Eighty-nine percent of respondents rated healthcare-workforce diversity as at least somewhat important, and 91% believed it improves health outcomes to some extent. Language was the most frequently selected aspect of diversity affecting care (78%), and 95% reported that language barriers negatively affect care to some degree. Medical expertise (84%), communication ability (77%), and respect/empathy (72%) were the most commonly selected drivers of trust; 82% reported greater comfort with a clinician who shared aspects of their background or experience. Eighty-three percent perceived barriers affecting underrepresented groups entering healthcare careers. Conclusions Young adults valued communication, cultural understanding, and representation while prioritizing clinical expertise. These findings identify potential questions for orthopedic language-access and mentorship initiatives; applicability to orthopedic patients and trainees requires direct study.