Women of immigrant background and their experience with health professionals

Abstract

This article thematizes how immigrant women experience meeting with health professionals in the healthcare sector. The study is based on interviews with first-generation women from Pakistan who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and the challenges they faced in making lasting lifestyle changes. The study focuses on communication between health professionals and women with immigrant backgrounds. Knowledge and practice of a healthy lifestyle, multiculturalism and culturally sensitive communication form the theoretical foundation of the study. 

Seven qualitative interviews were conducted, and the results show that women with immigrant backgrounds experience a lack of culturally adapted training in nutrition education and physical activity which are two crucial determinants of good and successful treatment of lifestyle diseases. Furthermore, the results show that the women suffered from anxiety and depression, but they did not discuss it with their health professionals. This became an obstacle to making lifestyle changes. The women themselves believed they lacked knowledge that could improve both their physical and mental health. The communication barriers that appeared between the women and health professionals meant that the women did not dare to ask about the development of their disease. In addition, their experience showed that health professionals had little understanding of their cultural roots.