Although cultural diversity in German metropolises is rapidly increasing, immigrant patients are rarely included in clinical studies. Specific needs of these patients are hardly known. In a comparative study, 320 German and 262 Turkish immigrant women, respectively, were interviewed via bilingual questionnaires to assess their expectations from and their satisfaction with provided health care services. While no significant differences could be found between basic expectations concerning anticipated health care standards between the two study groups, women of Turkish origin were markedly less satisfied with provided health care services. High expectations of immigrant patients towards information during their stay, communication with doctors and nurses and psychosocial services were only insufficiently met. The results indicate that specific health-relevant factors, such as social and educational status, knowledge of German language and health knowledge together with structural deficiencies of a health care service that is not prepared to correspond properly to patients of different social and cultural backgrounds, have a negative impact on patient satisfaction for migrant women.

Migration Quality of care Immigrants of Turkish Origin Gynaecological Ward Patient satisfaction

doctor patient relation Germany immigrant hospitalization human Set (Psychology) middle aged Ethnic Groups health service controlled study Aged language academic achievement social status Hospitals, Urban Humans Adolescent female questionnaire cultural factor patient satisfaction Article health care utilization major clinical study Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital adult health education health care quality Turkey Quality Assurance, Health Care Emigration and Immigration Berlin gynecology health care delivery