BMC Health Services Research
Volume 16, Issue 1, 2016

Access and utilization of healthcare services in Massachusetts, United States: A qualitative study of the perspectives and experiences of Brazilian-born immigrant women (Article) (Open Access)

Lindsay A.C.* , De Oliveira M.G. , Wallington S.F. , Greaney M.L. , Machado M.M.T. , Freitag Pagliuca L.M. , Arruda C.A.M.
  • a Exercise and Health Sciences Department, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125, United States, Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
  • b Federal University of Ceara, Nursing School, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
  • c Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States
  • d Department of Kinesiology, University of Rhode Island, Health Studies, Kingston, RI, United States
  • e Department of Public Health, Federal University of Ceara, School of Medicine, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
  • f Federal University of Ceara, Nursing School, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil
  • g Department of Public Health, Federal University of Ceara, School of Medicine, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil

Abstract

Background: Understanding immigrants' interactions with the United States (US) healthcare system will likely make it possible to meet their healthcare needs and improve their quality of life in the US. Although challenges to accessing and utilizing healthcare in the US have been identified, there is little information specific to Brazilian-born immigrants' experiences. Brazilians comprise a fast-growing immigrant population group in the US. The purpose of this study was to explore Brazilian immigrant women's perspectives and experiences with healthcare services in the US to gain insights into factors amenable to interventions that may contribute to disparities in access to and utilization of services. Methods: Five focus groups were conducted from April to May in 2015 using a purposeful sampling of Brazilian-born immigrant women living in Massachusetts, US. Results: Thirty-five women participated in this study. Although participants expressed their overall satisfaction with the US healthcare system, they noted several barriers to care, including sociocultural differences in delivery of care and communication barriers, including inconsistent quality of interpreting services. Conclusions: This study provides new information on the experiences and challenges faced by Brazilian immigrant women in accessing and utilizing healthcare services in the US and points out opportunities for improving services and the overall health of this immigrant population. Addressing noted sociocultural differences and communication barriers including inconsistent quality of hospital's interpreting services might enhance Brazilian-born immigrants' experiences with the healthcare system. © 2016 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Women Utilization Access healthcare Brazilian immigrant qualitative

Index Keywords

information processing communication barrier Communication Barriers birth multicenter study clinical trial Massachusetts human middle aged statistics and numerical data ethnology qualitative research quality of life United States Humans migrant psychology Emigrants and Immigrants female pregnancy standards adult utilization patient attitude medicaid Brazil Patient Acceptance of Health Care Parturition Focus Groups maternal health service Maternal Health Services Healthcare Disparities health care disparity Health Services Accessibility health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84985036830&doi=10.1186%2fs12913-016-1723-9&partnerID=40&md5=906f99ea385b368bd6dc3e1714621e3c
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1723-9
ISSN: 14726963
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English