International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 9, Issue 10, 2012, Pages 3755-3768

Experiences of French speaking immigrants and non-immigrants accessing health care services in a large Canadian city (Article) (Open Access)

Ngwakongnwi E.* , Hemmelgarn B.R. , Musto R. , Quan H. , King-Shier K.M.
  • a Health Quality Council of Alberta, 210, 811-14 Street NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 2A4, Canada
  • b Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, TRW Building, 3rd Floor, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
  • c Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, TRW Building, 3rd Floor, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
  • d Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, TRW Building, 3rd Floor, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
  • e Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, TRW Building, 3rd Floor, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada

Abstract

French speakers residing in predominantly English-speaking communities have been linked to difficulties accessing health care. This study examined health care access experiences of immigrants and non-immigrants who self-identify as Francophone or French speakers in a mainly English speaking province of Canada. We used semi-structured interviews to gather opinions of recent users of physician and hospital services (N = 26). Language barriers and difficulties finding family doctors were experienced by both French speaking immigrants and non-immigrants alike. This was exacerbated by a general preference for health services in French and less interest in using language interpreters during a medical consultation. Some participants experienced emotional distress, were discontent with care received, often delayed seeking care due to language barriers. Recent immigrants identified lack of insurance coverage for drugs, transportation difficulties and limited knowledge of the healthcare system as major detractors to achieving health. This study provided the groundwork for future research on health issues of official language minorities in Canada. © 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Author Keywords

Health care access immigrants French language Qualitative descriptive Official language minorities Family doctor

Index Keywords

immigrant insurance minority group human middle aged health service Aged general practitioner language Humans consultation Minority Groups male Canada Emigrants and Immigrants future prospect Aged, 80 and over semi structured interview Alberta accessibility female Cities qualitative analysis health services Physicians, Family emotional stress Article health care help seeking behavior adult traffic and transport health care access Healthcare Disparities Health Services Accessibility European immigrant
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84868143701&doi=10.3390%2fijerph9103755&partnerID=40&md5=c32056189a94202f20bc1b002d53c4be
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph9103755
ISSN: 16617827
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English