2025/06/21 by Dahal, Rudra, Thapa, Kalpana, Bajgain, Bishnu +4
#Community Engagement #Ethnic Minority #Immigrant #Inclusive #Newcomer #Participatory #Power Informed #Racialized #Transdisciplinary #Visible Minority
paper · doi:10.11575/prism/49512
Background: Despite the Canadian universal healthcare system, new immigrants face a number of challenges in accessing primary healthcare (PHC) services. As the level of immigration to Canada continues to grow, it is crucial to understand the nature of barriers to care immigrants face Methods: A qualitative research using focus groups was conducted among a sample of first-generation Nepalese immigrant men who had some experience with PHC in Canada. Data collection and analysis: A total of 6 focus groups were conducted among 34 participants in their preferred language [Nepalese, or English]. Demographic information was collected prior to each focus group. Transcriptions of the discussions were prepared, and thematic analysis was employed to the qualitative data set. Results: Participants reported experiencing barriers at two stages: before accessing PHC services and after accessing PHC services. The barriers before accessing PHC were long waiting time for an appointment with specialists, limited knowledge of own health- and services-related issues, limitedservice availability hours, cultural differences in health practices, and transportation and work-related challenges. The barriers after accessing PHC were long wait time in the clinic to meet with family doctors during the appointment, communication problems and misunderstandings, high healthcare costs associated with dental and vision care and prescribed medicines, and inappropriate behaviors and practices of doctors and service providers. Conclusions: Accessible primary healthcare is important for the health of immigrant populations in Canada. It is important to recognize the extent of barriers to effectively shape public policy and improve access to primary healthcare