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Patient-reported experiences in primary health care access of Nepalese immigrant women in Canada

Abstract
Accessible primary health care is essential for the health of immigrant populations in Canada. This study explored barriers to accessing care among a relatively less studied immigrant population group, Nepalese immigrant women, which will help effectively shape public policy and improve access to primary health care for the wider immigrant population in Canada. Community-engaged focus groups were conducted in Calgary, AB. The focus groups identified long wait times as a major barrier to receiving PHC services, along with lack of proficiency in English, lack of access to medical records, competing responsibilities and unfamiliarity with the Canadian healthcare system.
Authors: Rudra Dahal,Kalpana Thapa Bajgain,Bishnu Bahadur Bajgain,Kamala Adhikari,Iffat Naeem,Nashit Chowdhury,Tanvir C. Turin Publication Date: 1/1/2022

Publication Type: Journal Article

URL:https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJMHSC-03-2021-0028/full/html
Notes

Community organizations: n/a

Future research / gaps identified:

Work with communities to co-identify solutions to the barriers found in this study.

Integration timeline: newcomers not defined

Key findings

Barriers to primary health care access included:

  • Long wait times, unavailability of practitioners, and long referral processes
  • High out-of-pocket costs for various health care services and needs
  • Lack of English proficiency
  • Competing responsibilities and schedules
  • Lack of access to medical records, lab services and/or urgent care services
  • Unfamiliarity with the Canadian health care system

Key recommendations

1) Create tailored primary health care services for immigrants

2) Facilitate systems change to decrease wait times, increase health care systems knowledge, etc.

3) Increase cultural competence of service providers and services

Location: Calgary, AB

Open access: No

Key populations: Nepalese immigrant women in Calgary


Collections physical-and-mental-health , social-services , women

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