American Journal of Public Health
Volume 100, Issue SUPPL. 1, 2010, Pages S113-S117

Explaining ethnic disparities in patient safety: A qualitative analysis (Article)

Suurmond J.* , Ulters E. , De Bruljne M.N.C. , Stronks K. , Essink-Bot M.-L.
  • a Department of Social Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, 1100 DD Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • b Department of Public Health and Healthcare, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands
  • c Extramural Medical Research Institute, Department of Public and Occupational Health, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • d Department of Social Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, 1100 DD Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • e Department of Social Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, 1100 DD Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

Objectives. We explored characteristics of in-hospital care and treatment of immigrant patients to better understand the processes underlying ethnic disparities in patient safety. Methods. We conducted semistructured interviews with care providers regarding patient safety events involving immigrant patients in in-hospital medical care and treatment, for a total of 30 cases. Interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analyzed with a framework, method. Results. Three key patterns were identified from the analysis. Patient safety events occur because of (1) inappropriate responses by health care providers to objective characteristics of immigrant patients, such as low Dutch language proficiency, lack, of health insurance, or genetic conditions; (2) misunderstandings between patients and care providers because of differences in illness perceptions and expectations about care and treatment; and (3) inappropriate care because of providers' prejudices against or stereotypical ideas regarding immigrant patients. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that organizational and health professional practices contribute to the higher risk of patient safety events. Descriptive epidemiological research is needed to explore the impact of the 3 patterns on patient safety.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Health Personnel Netherlands hospital patient health care personnel human Ethnic Groups ethnic group interview Safety Management Humans Medical Errors medical error Interviews as Topic male Emigrants and Immigrants female safety Article migration Inpatients
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77950575056&doi=10.2105%2fAJPH.2009.167064&partnerID=40&md5=f91dd668d2281c12601d7f9511de3f02
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.167064
ISSN: 00900036
Cited by: 16
Original Language: English