Australian Journal of Primary Health
Volume 20, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 92-97

'Excuse me, do any of you ladies speak English?' Perspectives of refugee women living in South Australia: Barriers to accessing primary health care and achieving the quality use of medicines (Article) (Open Access)

Clark A.* , Gilbert A. , Rao D. , Kerr L.
  • a Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, Sansom Institute, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
  • b Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, Sansom Institute, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
  • c Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, Sansom Institute, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
  • d Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia

Abstract

Reforms to the Australian health system aim to ensure that services are accessible, clinically and culturally appropriate, timely and affordable. During the reform consultation process there were urgent calls from stakeholders to specifically consider the health needs of the thousands of refugees who settle here each year, but little is known about what is needed from the refugee perspective. Access to health services is a basic requirement of achieving the quality use of medicines, as outlined in Australia's National Medicines Policy. This study aimed to identify the barriers to accessing primary health care services and explore medicine-related issues as experienced by refugee women in South Australia. Thirty-six women participated in focus groups with accredited and community interpreters and participants were from Sudan, Burundi, Congo, Burma, Afghanistan and Bhutan who spoke English (as a second language), Chin, Matu, Dari and Nepali. The main barrier to accessing primary health care and understanding GPs and pharmacists was not being able to speak or comprehend English. Interpreter services were used inconsistently or not at all. To implement the health reforms and achieve the quality use of medicines, refugees, support organisations, GPs, pharmacists and their staff require education, training and support. © La Trobe University 2014.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Cultural Diversity Afghanistan Communication Barriers refugee Australia accreditation human Refugees language ability health service Congo language Cultural Competency Bhutan Burundi Humans female Myanmar Article health care utilization South Australia interpreter service health education health care quality health care access health care need English as a second language Health Services Accessibility health literacy Focus Groups primary health care Sudan
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84894133308&doi=10.1071%2fPY11118&partnerID=40&md5=dd3ada1fbb4be3faadbb3c52fc54b63b
DOI: 10.1071/PY11118
ISSN: 14487527
Cited by: 25
Original Language: English