Understanding Refugees’ Perceptions of Health Care in the United States

Ongoing conflicts around the world have resulted in record numbers of refugees. Given the unique health care needs and access barriers refugees face upon resettlement in the United States, we aimed to better understand refugees’ perceptions of US health care as the first step to quality improvement...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal for nurse practitioners 2016-07, Vol.12 (7), p.487-494
Main Authors: Worabo, Heidi J., Hsueh, Kuei-Hsiang, Yakimo, Richard, Worabo, Essay, Burgess, P. Ariel, Farberman, Susann M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bilingualism
Care delivery
Cultural competence
culture
Displaced persons
Education
Focus group interviews
Focus groups
health care access
Health initiatives
Integrated services
Interpreters
Language
Miscommunication
Perceptions
Personal health
Preventive medicine
Primary care
Primary health care
Qualitative research
Quality
Quality management
Refugee camps
Refugees
Resettlement
Service delivery
Service provision
Studies
Verbal communication
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Summary:Ongoing conflicts around the world have resulted in record numbers of refugees. Given the unique health care needs and access barriers refugees face upon resettlement in the United States, we aimed to better understand refugees’ perceptions of US health care as the first step to quality improvement initiatives. We used a qualitative approach by conducting 4 focus group interviews with refugees from Iraq, Eritrea, Somalia, and Bhutan. We identified 3 common themes: conflicting expectations, miscommunication, and varying levels of trust and satisfaction. Findings support in-person interpreters, cultural competency training, and integrated primary health care delivery models with stronger connections with resettlement agencies. •Conflicting expectations, miscommunication, and varying levels of trust and satisfaction were found to be themes emerging from focus groups with refugees.•Findings support improved interpretation services and cultural competency training for health care providers to improve communication and trust.•Implications for health care delivery with refugees include stronger connections between refugee resettlement agencies and primary care providers and innovative primary health care models that include walk-in service options.
ISSN:1555-4155
1878-058X
DOI:10.1016/j.nurpra.2016.04.014