Research Library

Accommodating Immigrant Women’s Preferences for Female Health Care Providers

Abstract

In this study we investigate how a request for a female obstetrician can affect and challenges of providing intrapartum care to immigrant women. To answer these questions, we interviewed service providers in one of the large Edmonton hospitals. We interviewed 13 female and 7 male physicians. Physicians recognized the validity of immigrant women's preference and requests for female health care providers and expressed sympathy for them. However, they were also resistant and expressed several concerns about accommodating these requests. These concerns included (1) a fear of perpetuating and exacerbating gender inequalities in medicine, (2) the ability of the health system to meet the demands, and (3) implications of these requests for training and quality of care. Although physicians were sympathetic to immigrant women's requests for female obstetricians, they placed greater value on maintaining gender equity both within the medical profession and in wider society. In other words, they resisted accommodating gender-of-health-care-provider requests. We then see a need for greater research to shape policy that meets the professional and personal values of both physicians and patients.