Empirical evidence is equivocal on whether ethnic matching in the therapist-patient dyad is preferred by ethnic minority patients and whether it leads to treatment satisfaction. The aim of this study was to establish the importance of ethnic similarity in mental health care among Surinamese migrants in the Netherlands. A convenience sample of Surinamese out-patients in community mental health care (N = 96) was interviewed. Data were analysed using logistic multivariate techniques. The majority of the Surinamese out-patients (in particular recently residing participants) rated ethnic matching as relevant; a considerable minority considered compassion and expertise to be more relevant than ethnic background. Most out-patients reported to be satisfied with the services, especially females and respondents treated by an ethnically similar therapist. Ethnic similarity in the patient-therapist dyad is a strong predictor for satisfaction with mental health care services. However, although it is preferred by many, ethnic matching per se is no must-empathy, expertise and world view sharing are reported to be of considerable importance as well.

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doctor patient relation Netherlands patient care mental health service Health Care Surveys multivariate logistic regression analysis Outpatients minority group human middle aged Ethnic Groups ethnic group Professional-Patient Relations outpatient care ethnology Humans ethnic difference Suriname Empathy male female prediction Multivariate Analysis ethnic similarity patient satisfaction Community Mental Health Services Article physician attitude adult major clinical study Emigration and Immigration Cultural Characteristics Surinamese