Page 133 - S. Ličen, I. Karnjuš, & M. Prosen (Eds.). (2019). Women, migrations and health: Ensuring transcultural healthcare. Koper, University of Primorska Press.
P. 133
Migrant Women’s Perspectives on Reproductive Health Issues and Their Healthcare Encounters
back and comparing the care given in their home country) from the perspec-
tive of barriers to accessing healthcare. This study also explored the impact
of the identified barriers on women’s sexual and reproductive issues. As has
been established, migrant women’s health and well-being are very much de-
termined by the societal factors surrounding the migration process as well
as integration. However, their health status prior to their migration, namely,
while still living in their home country, was subject to health disparities that
largely derived from their socio-economic standing and gender-determined
roles.
Due to unpleasant experiences as patients with their home country’s
health system, it seems that some women had low expectations of the health
system in Slovenia. It came as a surprise later for them that healthcare in
Slovenia may be described as high quality and, for all of them, a free service
provided by the state. As part of this system, their encounters with healthcare
professionals were perceived as culturally sensitive or responsive. A culturally
responsive healthcare encounter requires the provider to take steps to mod-
erate the power differential in order to form a more balanced partnership
or therapeutic alliance with the patient. Even though any encounter in the
context of diversity requires cultural responsiveness to be successful, mis-
takes in communications during the delivery of healthcare can be damaging
due to the power differential between the provider and the recipient of care
(Dreachslin, Gilbert, & Malone, 2012). The latter was quite noticeable in two
cases where women confided their experience. Yet, it should be emphasised
that cultural responsiveness does not mean that ‘anything goes’ and does
not require the healthcare provider to accommodate everything the patient
wants (Dreachslin et al., 2012; Leininger, 2002). For example, Leininger (2002)
states the focus of decision-making should include: (1) cultural care preser-
vation, also known as maintenance; (2) cultural care accommodation, also
known as negotiation; and (3) cultural care re-patterning or re-structuring.
Almost all of the interviewees reported that they did not feel discrimi-
nated by healthcare professionals due to their cultural background or their
social status in the host country’s health system. The right to access free
healthcare services in the host country is insufficient for ensuring actual use
of healthcare (Hargreaves & Friedland, 2013). Healthcare professionals must
therefore strive to deliver culturally responsive or congruent care for which
cross-cultural competencies are essential. Cross-cultural competencies are
one of the main ingredients in narrowing the health disparities gap as health-
care services which are respectful and responsive to the healthcare beliefs,
practices, cultural and linguistic needs of a wide range of patients can con-
131
back and comparing the care given in their home country) from the perspec-
tive of barriers to accessing healthcare. This study also explored the impact
of the identified barriers on women’s sexual and reproductive issues. As has
been established, migrant women’s health and well-being are very much de-
termined by the societal factors surrounding the migration process as well
as integration. However, their health status prior to their migration, namely,
while still living in their home country, was subject to health disparities that
largely derived from their socio-economic standing and gender-determined
roles.
Due to unpleasant experiences as patients with their home country’s
health system, it seems that some women had low expectations of the health
system in Slovenia. It came as a surprise later for them that healthcare in
Slovenia may be described as high quality and, for all of them, a free service
provided by the state. As part of this system, their encounters with healthcare
professionals were perceived as culturally sensitive or responsive. A culturally
responsive healthcare encounter requires the provider to take steps to mod-
erate the power differential in order to form a more balanced partnership
or therapeutic alliance with the patient. Even though any encounter in the
context of diversity requires cultural responsiveness to be successful, mis-
takes in communications during the delivery of healthcare can be damaging
due to the power differential between the provider and the recipient of care
(Dreachslin, Gilbert, & Malone, 2012). The latter was quite noticeable in two
cases where women confided their experience. Yet, it should be emphasised
that cultural responsiveness does not mean that ‘anything goes’ and does
not require the healthcare provider to accommodate everything the patient
wants (Dreachslin et al., 2012; Leininger, 2002). For example, Leininger (2002)
states the focus of decision-making should include: (1) cultural care preser-
vation, also known as maintenance; (2) cultural care accommodation, also
known as negotiation; and (3) cultural care re-patterning or re-structuring.
Almost all of the interviewees reported that they did not feel discrimi-
nated by healthcare professionals due to their cultural background or their
social status in the host country’s health system. The right to access free
healthcare services in the host country is insufficient for ensuring actual use
of healthcare (Hargreaves & Friedland, 2013). Healthcare professionals must
therefore strive to deliver culturally responsive or congruent care for which
cross-cultural competencies are essential. Cross-cultural competencies are
one of the main ingredients in narrowing the health disparities gap as health-
care services which are respectful and responsive to the healthcare beliefs,
practices, cultural and linguistic needs of a wide range of patients can con-
131
