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Adjusting the Canadian Healthcare System to Meet Newcomer Needs

Author

Listed:
  • Ginny Lane

    (Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA)

  • Hassan Vatanparast

    (College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 4Z2, Canada)

Abstract

Newcomers’ ability to access healthcare can be impacted by cultural, religious, linguistic, and health status differences. A variety of options are available to support the development of healthcare systems to equitably accommodate newcomers, including the use of basic English and other languages in public health information, engagement with immigrant communities to advise on program development, offering culturally competent health services, interpretation services, and through creating space to collaborate with traditional practitioners. This study employed in-depth interviews with newcomer families from the Healthy Immigrant Children Study that had been living in Regina or Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, for less than 5 years, as well as with healthcare providers and immigrant service providers to understand how to improve healthcare services. Analysis of participant quotes related to accessible healthcare services revealed five main themes: (1) responsive, accessible services, (2) increasing cultural competence, (3) targeted newcomer health services, (4) increasing awareness of health services, and (5) newcomer engagement in planning and partnerships. An accessible healthcare system should include primary healthcare sites developed in partnership with newcomer service organizations that offer comprehensive care in a conveniently accessible and culturally responsive manner, with embedded interpretation services. The Saskatchewan healthcare system needs to reflect on its capacity to meet newcomer healthcare needs and strategically respond to the healthcare needs of an increasingly diverse population.

Suggested Citation

  • Ginny Lane & Hassan Vatanparast, 2022. "Adjusting the Canadian Healthcare System to Meet Newcomer Needs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:7:p:3752-:d:776563
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ginny Lane & Mayari Hengstermann & Judy White & Hassan Vatanparast, 2021. "Newcomer challenges with accessing healthcare services in Saskatchewan, Canada," Border Crossing, Transnational Press London, UK, vol. 11(2), pages 155-172, July-Dece.
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