Ghent 2026

What is it about?

Diversity in the workplace refers to the presence of employees from a wide range of backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, ages, genders, abilities, and other characteristics within an organization. 

‘Neurodiversity’ is a way of saying everyone’s brain is different. A neurodiversity approach views autism and other forms of ‘neurodivergence’ – e.g. ADHD, learning difficulties - as natural variations in people and not as “abnormal”. 

 Why it this important (to teach)?

Workplace diversity creates a dynamic and inclusive environment. Promoting workplace diversity provides a space where everyone feels valued and respected for the viewpoints, ideas, perspectives, and experiences they bring. It creates a sense of belonging, that makes people want to stay, contribute, and enjoy showing up to work.

Inclusion enhances well-being and motivation, reduces work-related stress, and lowers absenteeism and staff turnover, thereby promoting greater stability and continuity of talent. It also encourages more open and constructive communication, improving coordination and effectiveness in day-to-day work.

From a productivity perspective, inclusive environments enable organisations to fully harness the diversity of skills, experiences, and perspectives, particularly when supported by a climate of psychological safety. This leads to better decision-making processes, increased innovation, and more effective resolution of complex problems. Individuals show higher levels of engagement and perform better when they know their contributions are valued.

Implementing diversity initiatives can present various challenges, including resistance to change, mis-communication, and insufficient leadership support. It is important that healthcare professionals and managers understand the different types of diversity in the workplace, as some characteristics, such as race, gender and religion, are protected by law.

The occupational physician can be the central point of contact, as he or she acts as the link between all parties involved. He or she is familiar with the workplace and can consult with the company's HR department, employees and trade union to promote diversity and facilitate inclusion at work.

How to equip students with appropriate knowledge and skills to deal with diversity challenges?

Medical education can contribute to better care and inclusion by developing, implementing, and evaluating curricula on cultural, linguistic and ability differences in healthcare.

The faculty of medicine and health sciences in Ghent is putting diversity consciousness into (Teaching) Practice. Come and join the discussion about a diversity-conscious approach, in which diversity is seen as enriching the learning process for all students.

Training occupational physicians in these competencies will ensure that our workforce is representative of our society and that our working environment is inclusive and will enable every person to use their full potential.