'There's nothing you can do ... it's like that in Chinatown': Chinese immigrant women's perceptions of experiences in Chicago Chinatown healthcare settings

Objectives: Chinese American women living in linguistically isolated communities are among the least likely to utilize healthcare services. Qualitative research methods can help identify health system vulnerability points to improve local healthcare delivery for this population. Design: We conducted...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ethnicity & health 2021-08, Vol.26 (6), p.893-910
Main Authors: Simon, Melissa A., Tom, Laura S., Taylor, Shaneah, Leung, Ivy, Vicencio, Dan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asian cultural groups
Barriers
Chinese
Chinese languages
Communication
Community
Customer services
Health care
Health care delivery
Health care industry
Health services
healthcare
Immigrants
Infrastructure
Language
Medicine
Noncitizens
patient-provider communications
Patients
Perceptions
Qualitative research
Quality of service
Research methodology
Research methods
Waiting times
Women
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Summary:Objectives: Chinese American women living in linguistically isolated communities are among the least likely to utilize healthcare services. Qualitative research methods can help identify health system vulnerability points to improve local healthcare delivery for this population. Design: We conducted 6 focus groups among 56 Chinese-speaking adult women in Chicago's Chinatown between July and August 2014 to explore their perceptions of experiences receiving medical care and interacting with healthcare providers in Chinatown healthcare settings. Results: Health system/clinic infrastructure and patient-provider communications were perceived barriers to care at Chinatown healthcare settings. Chinese participants reported long wait times, difficulty scheduling appointments, and poor front desk customer service. Communication difficulties at Chinatown healthcare settings involved language barriers with non-Chinese-speaking providers, but consideration for healthcare providers, provider demeanor, and reliance on provider recommendation also hindered patient-provider communications. Conclusions: Findings improve understanding of barriers to care experienced by Chinese immigrant women in one urban Chinatown community.
ISSN:1355-7858
1465-3419
DOI:10.1080/13557858.2019.1573973