Children with special health-care needs (CSHCNs) face notable barriers to health-care access and to receiving quality and family-centered care, despite higher health-care utilization rates. Within the population of CSHCNs, there are significant inequities in health-care quality impacting immigrants who have migrated to the United States. However, little is known about the experiences and needs of Asian immigrant families who have CSHCNs. This study aimed to explore how Asian immigrant parents of CSHCNs view their child’s health-care access, quality, and utilization. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 22 Vietnamese- and Cantonese-speaking parents of CSHCNs. Participants were recruited through community partners. Interviews were transcribed, translated, and coded using content analysis. Participants were generally satisfied with their children’s care and had strong relationships with their primary care doctors who were often culturally ‘matched’. However, participants experienced several important and culturally specific barriers, including gaps in their understanding of the health-care system, language barriers, and a sense of alienation. Parents frequently turned to informal and community supports for assistance in navigating the US health-care system. Further research to understand the drivers of health disparities and policy level solutions is warranted. © 2018, © The Author(s) 2018.

Immigrant health Asian immigrants children with special health-care needs disparities

Parents immigrant minority health alienation health disparity human middle aged Asian continental ancestry group statistics and numerical data controlled study general practitioner language driver speech interview United States Humans migrant psychology Adolescent Infant, Newborn male Emigrants and Immigrants preschool child female Infant Child, Preschool newborn child health Article health care utilization genetic transcription adult human experiment health care access content analysis child health care patient attitude Child Health Services Health Services Accessibility Patient Acceptance of Health Care health care need child parent relation health care delivery Child