Global Health Promotion
Volume 18, Issue 1, 2011, Pages 51-54

Refuah shlema: A cross-cultural programme for promoting communication and health among ethiopian immigrants in the primary health care setting in Israel evidence and lessons learned from over a decade of implementation (Article)

Levin-Zamir D.* , Keret S. , Yaakovson O. , Lev B. , Kay C. , Verber G. , Lieberman N.
  • a Department of Health Education and Promotion, Clalit Health Services, 101 Arlozorov St, Tel Aviv 62098, Israel
  • b Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
  • c Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
  • d Department of Health Education and Promotion, Clalit Health Services, 101 Arlozorov St, Tel Aviv 62098, Israel
  • e Department of Health Education and Promotion, Clalit Health Services, 101 Arlozorov St, Tel Aviv 62098, Israel
  • f Department of Health Education and Promotion, Clalit Health Services, 101 Arlozorov St, Tel Aviv 62098, Israel
  • g Department of Health Education and Promotion, Clalit Health Services, 101 Arlozorov St, Tel Aviv 62098, Israel

Abstract

The Refuah Shlema programme was established to reduce health disparities, promote health literacy and health indicators of the Ethiopian immigrant community in Israel, and included: (i) integrating Ethiopian immigrant liaisons in primary care as inter-cultural mediators; (ii) in-service training of clinical staff to increase cultural awareness and sensitivity; and (iii) health education community activities. Qualitative and quantitative evidence showed improvements in: (i) clinic staff-patient relations; (ii) availability and accessibility of health services, and health system navigation without increasing service expenditure; (iii) perception of general well-being; and (iv) self-care practice with regards to chronic conditions. Evidence significantly contributed to sustaining the programme for over 13 years. © The Author(s) 2011.

Author Keywords

emigrants and immigrants Health promotion Evidence-based practice Public health Cultural appropriateness Organizational case studies

Index Keywords

Israel health promotion methodology Communication interpersonal communication human Evidence-Based Practice Time Factors ethnology Government Programs evidence based practice Humans Organizational Case Studies health services research Emigrants and Immigrants cultural factor Article Ethiopia program evaluation migration health care quality government Cultural Characteristics primary health care public health time National Health Programs
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-80051754907&doi=10.1177%2f1757975910393172&partnerID=40&md5=432a2f0dc44fe2b40aec552186f36121
DOI: 10.1177/1757975910393172
ISSN: 17579759
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English