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Experiences of French Speaking Immigrants and Non-immigrants Accessing Health Care Services in a Large Canadian City

Author

Listed:
  • Emmanuel Ngwakongnwi

    (Health Quality Council of Alberta, 210, 811-14 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 2A4, Canada)

  • Brenda R. Hemmelgarn

    (Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, TRW Building, 3rd Floor, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada)

  • Richard Musto

    (Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, TRW Building, 3rd Floor, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada)

  • Hude Quan

    (Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, TRW Building, 3rd Floor, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada)

  • Kathryn M. King-Shier

    (Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, TRW Building, 3rd Floor, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 4Z6, Canada)

Abstract

French speakers residing in predominantly English-speaking communities have been linked to difficulties accessing health care. This study examined health care access experiences of immigrants and non-immigrants who self-identify as Francophone or French speakers in a mainly English speaking province of Canada. We used semi-structured interviews to gather opinions of recent users of physician and hospital services (N = 26). Language barriers and difficulties finding family doctors were experienced by both French speaking immigrants and non-immigrants alike. This was exacerbated by a general preference for health services in French and less interest in using language interpreters during a medical consultation. Some participants experienced emotional distress, were discontent with care received, often delayed seeking care due to language barriers. Recent immigrants identified lack of insurance coverage for drugs, transportation difficulties and limited knowledge of the healthcare system as major detractors to achieving health. This study provided the groundwork for future research on health issues of official language minorities in Canada.

Suggested Citation

  • Emmanuel Ngwakongnwi & Brenda R. Hemmelgarn & Richard Musto & Hude Quan & Kathryn M. King-Shier, 2012. "Experiences of French Speaking Immigrants and Non-immigrants Accessing Health Care Services in a Large Canadian City," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:9:y:2012:i:10:p:3755-3768:d:20837
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Bukola Salami & Alleson Mason & Jordana Salma & Sophie Yohani & Maryam Amin & Philomena Okeke-Ihejirika & Tehseen Ladha, 2020. "Access to Healthcare for Immigrant Children in Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-12, May.
    2. Bishnu Bahadur Bajgain & Kalpana Thapa Bajgain & Sujan Badal & Fariba Aghajafari & Jeanette Jackson & Maria-Jose Santana, 2020. "Patient-Reported Experiences in Accessing Primary Healthcare among Immigrant Population in Canada: A Rapid Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Isabella Berardelli & Lorenzo Tarsitani & Salvatore Sarubbi & Irene Pinucci & Elena Rogante & Mariarosaria Cifrodelli & Denise Erbuto & David Lester & Marco Innamorati & Maurizio Pompili, 2023. "Suicide risk and suicide risk factors among immigrants in Italy: A bi-center matched sample study," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(1), pages 111-116, February.

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