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:
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Long wait times, unavailability of practitioners, and long referral processes
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High out-of-pocket costs for various health care services and needs
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Lack of English proficiency
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Competing responsibilities and schedules
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Lack of access to medical records, lab services and/or urgent care services
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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
Key populations: Nepalese immigrant women in Calgary