Page 21 - S. Ličen, I. Karnjuš, & M. Prosen (Eds.). (2019). Women, migrations and health: Ensuring transcultural healthcare. Koper, University of Primorska Press.
P. 21
Gendered Migration and the Social Integration of Migrants in Slovenia
When asked whether migrants (mainly female Muslims) attend a medical ex-
amination by themselves, the participants answered that this is rarely the
case. They are most often accompanied by a child (9 to 12 years old) who,
due to their compulsory attendance at an educational institution, can speak
Slovenian. Slovenia’s migration policy plays a key role in this issue. Cost-free
Slovenian language courses are only available to migrants after being resi-
dent in Slovenia for 2 years. Privately paid courses are very expensive.
Health Institutions’ Preparedness for Cultural Diversity
In the case of dealing with an unknown culture (customs, practices, be-
haviour, way of dressing etc.), Slovenian health professionals are left to them-
selves. The focus group participants stated that Slovenia is very poorly organ-
ised in this area.
It is also important to note that, due to poor communication skills (notably
ignorance of the language) and ignorance of different cultures, disputes
between healthcare workers and migrants are frequent. For example, one
participant argued that migrants do not want to obey the advice given by
medical staff, with explanation, that they don’t want any progress and chan-
ges.
The Problem of the Health System’s Poor Adaptation
While discussing the preparedness of health institutions for cultural diversity,
one participant said that migrants do not want to adapt to the Slovenian sys-
tem. In comparison, another participant stated that Slovenians who have mi-
grated abroad have adapted exceptionally well to foreign cultures and new
social (political) systems.
Statements like: ‘They will not adapt to us!’ mainly derived from:
– ignorance of the wider migration process;
– evaluations based on prejudice and unjustified claims; and
– justification of thinking based on isolated (one-off ) cases.
A proposed solution is clearly to make integration more interactive and
to give training in communication bias. This is confirmed by examples from
the practice of British health professionals who have been permanently ed-
ucated about the customs of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom. Such
knowledge can speed up integration and ensure the effective functioning of
healthcare institutions.
19
When asked whether migrants (mainly female Muslims) attend a medical ex-
amination by themselves, the participants answered that this is rarely the
case. They are most often accompanied by a child (9 to 12 years old) who,
due to their compulsory attendance at an educational institution, can speak
Slovenian. Slovenia’s migration policy plays a key role in this issue. Cost-free
Slovenian language courses are only available to migrants after being resi-
dent in Slovenia for 2 years. Privately paid courses are very expensive.
Health Institutions’ Preparedness for Cultural Diversity
In the case of dealing with an unknown culture (customs, practices, be-
haviour, way of dressing etc.), Slovenian health professionals are left to them-
selves. The focus group participants stated that Slovenia is very poorly organ-
ised in this area.
It is also important to note that, due to poor communication skills (notably
ignorance of the language) and ignorance of different cultures, disputes
between healthcare workers and migrants are frequent. For example, one
participant argued that migrants do not want to obey the advice given by
medical staff, with explanation, that they don’t want any progress and chan-
ges.
The Problem of the Health System’s Poor Adaptation
While discussing the preparedness of health institutions for cultural diversity,
one participant said that migrants do not want to adapt to the Slovenian sys-
tem. In comparison, another participant stated that Slovenians who have mi-
grated abroad have adapted exceptionally well to foreign cultures and new
social (political) systems.
Statements like: ‘They will not adapt to us!’ mainly derived from:
– ignorance of the wider migration process;
– evaluations based on prejudice and unjustified claims; and
– justification of thinking based on isolated (one-off ) cases.
A proposed solution is clearly to make integration more interactive and
to give training in communication bias. This is confirmed by examples from
the practice of British health professionals who have been permanently ed-
ucated about the customs of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom. Such
knowledge can speed up integration and ensure the effective functioning of
healthcare institutions.
19
