Page 143 - S. Ličen, I. Karnjuš, & M. Prosen (Eds.). (2019). Women, migrations and health: Ensuring transcultural healthcare. Koper, University of Primorska Press.
P. 143
Monoligual Health?
Since the medical field of gynecology and obstetrics was identified as one
of the areas where linguistic barriers are most commonly present, we fo-
cus here on the analysis of the crucial linguistic barriers encountered by mi-
grant/refugee women in search for gynecological/obstetric medical help.
The analysis is based on qualitative research conducted from May 2017 to
June 2018 among migrants/refugees² with whom we conducted four semi-
structured interviews in different locations in Ljubljana and one focus group
with six women residing in the reception center (Asylum seeker center). Since
our interlocutors³ were native speakers of Arab and Farsi, interviews and the
focus group discussion were translated from Farsi and Arab. Moreover, in
the chapter we also present experiences of healthcare personnel of differ-
ent profiles⁴ collected during two focus groups discussions of linguistic and
cultural aspects of healthcare. The first focus group was organized in one of
Slovene healthcare centers, where 12 healthcare workers participated; the
second was held in two maternity hospitals in Slovenia, where 15 healthcare
workers altogether collaborated. These healthcare institutions were chosen
because they cater for a higher number of foreign-speaking users compared
to other healthcare institutions in Slovenia. The interviews and the focus
group discussions were transcribed, the material was classified according
to different thematic areas and later analyzed. These findings are combined
with findings of previous research on health aspects of migration (Lipovec
Čebron, 2010a, 2010b, 2011; Lipovec Čebron & Pistotnik, 2015, 2018, in press;
Bombač et al., 2017). On the basis of our research we identified three levels
of obstacles that are connected with language barriers and are presented in
the following pages.
Absence of Interpreters/Intercultural Mediators
Unlike in some other countries of the European Union, Slovene healthcare
does not have a national system of professional interpreting service avail-
² In the chapter we use both terms: ‘migrant’ as well as ‘refugee’ since we do not want to re-
produce the problematic dichotomy between the ‘economic migrant’ and ‘refugee’ that was
recently misused in xenophobic and racist anti-immigration political propaganda across Eu-
rope.
³ All of our interlocutors were pregnant or had recently given birth; their age ranged from 20
to 30 years; six of ten interlocutors were asylum seekers, while other four were persons with
recognised international protection. Due to the sensibility of the topic, we keep their other
data anonymised.
⁴ Their profiles were: 8 nurses, 4 general practitioners, 15 specialists and fellows in gynecology
and obstetrics. Due to the sensibility of the topic, we keep the institutions anonymised.
141
Since the medical field of gynecology and obstetrics was identified as one
of the areas where linguistic barriers are most commonly present, we fo-
cus here on the analysis of the crucial linguistic barriers encountered by mi-
grant/refugee women in search for gynecological/obstetric medical help.
The analysis is based on qualitative research conducted from May 2017 to
June 2018 among migrants/refugees² with whom we conducted four semi-
structured interviews in different locations in Ljubljana and one focus group
with six women residing in the reception center (Asylum seeker center). Since
our interlocutors³ were native speakers of Arab and Farsi, interviews and the
focus group discussion were translated from Farsi and Arab. Moreover, in
the chapter we also present experiences of healthcare personnel of differ-
ent profiles⁴ collected during two focus groups discussions of linguistic and
cultural aspects of healthcare. The first focus group was organized in one of
Slovene healthcare centers, where 12 healthcare workers participated; the
second was held in two maternity hospitals in Slovenia, where 15 healthcare
workers altogether collaborated. These healthcare institutions were chosen
because they cater for a higher number of foreign-speaking users compared
to other healthcare institutions in Slovenia. The interviews and the focus
group discussions were transcribed, the material was classified according
to different thematic areas and later analyzed. These findings are combined
with findings of previous research on health aspects of migration (Lipovec
Čebron, 2010a, 2010b, 2011; Lipovec Čebron & Pistotnik, 2015, 2018, in press;
Bombač et al., 2017). On the basis of our research we identified three levels
of obstacles that are connected with language barriers and are presented in
the following pages.
Absence of Interpreters/Intercultural Mediators
Unlike in some other countries of the European Union, Slovene healthcare
does not have a national system of professional interpreting service avail-
² In the chapter we use both terms: ‘migrant’ as well as ‘refugee’ since we do not want to re-
produce the problematic dichotomy between the ‘economic migrant’ and ‘refugee’ that was
recently misused in xenophobic and racist anti-immigration political propaganda across Eu-
rope.
³ All of our interlocutors were pregnant or had recently given birth; their age ranged from 20
to 30 years; six of ten interlocutors were asylum seekers, while other four were persons with
recognised international protection. Due to the sensibility of the topic, we keep their other
data anonymised.
⁴ Their profiles were: 8 nurses, 4 general practitioners, 15 specialists and fellows in gynecology
and obstetrics. Due to the sensibility of the topic, we keep the institutions anonymised.
141
