Table 1 Difficulties in Clinical Interactions with Migrant Patients (N = 204)
Not at all problematic | A little problematic | Rather problematic | Very problematic | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Variable | N | % | N | % | N | % | N | % |
Cluster I | ||||||||
1) Absence of a shared common language with the patient | 3 | 1.5 | 23 | 11.3 | 87 | 42.6 | 91 | 44.6 |
2) Discussion of sensitive topics (e.g., end of life, death, intimacy) | 10 | 4.9 | 35 | 17.2 | 98 | 48 | 61 | 29.9 |
3) Patients’ level of comprehension | 7 | 3.4 | 40 | 19.6 | 105 | 51.5 | 52 | 25.5 |
4). Absence of written materials in other languages (e.g., brochures, consent forms) | 12 | 5.9 | 35 | 17.2 | 91 | 44.6 | 66 | 32.4 |
5) Absence of referent individuals in cross-cultural clinical work | 9 | 4.4 | 43 | 21.1 | 93 | 45.6 | 59 | 28.9 |
6) Patients’ perceptions of illness, death, treatments and the healthcare system (e.g., role of palliative care) | 7 | 3.4 | 46 | 22.5 | 97 | 47.5 | 54 | 26.5 |
7) Patients’ financial resources (e.g., body repatriation, arrival of relatives) | 14 | 6.9 | 46 | 22.5 | 85 | 41.7 | 59 | 28.9 |
8) Patients’ active involvement in decision making | 18 | 8.8 | 43 | 21.1 | 95 | 46.6 | 48 | 23.5 |
Cluster II | ||||||||
9) Lack of knowledge about living conditions and residence status of migrants | 10 | 4.9 | 61 | 29.9 | 85 | 41.7 | 48 | 23.5 |
10) Lack of knowledge about health and support networks for precarious patients (e.g., asylum seekers, undocumented migrants) | 13 | 6.4 | 60 | 29.4 | 86 | 42.2 | 45 | 22.1 |
11) Relatives’ involvement in care and decision making | 17 | 8.3 | 56 | 27.5 | 94 | 46.1 | 37 | 18.1 |
12) Symptom and pain assessment and investigation of their meaning for patients | 15 | 7.4 | 59 | 28.9 | 97 | 47.5 | 33 | 16.2 |
13) Access to professional interpreters | 23 | 11.3 | 54 | 26.5 | 83 | 40.7 | 44 | 21.6 |
14) Integration of the diversity of religious and spiritual beliefs and practices (e.g., opinion about sedation) | 21 | 10.3 | 60 | 29.4 | 82 | 40.2 | 41 | 20.1 |
15) Required efforts (e.g., time of consultation, organization) | 23 | 11.3 | 60 | 29.4 | 108 | 52.9 | 13 | 6.4 |
16) Translation by relatives | 32 | 15.7 | 65 | 31.9 | 79 | 38.7 | 28 | 13.7 |
Cluster III | ||||||||
17) Logistics management (e.g., rooms for rituals, reception of important groups of visitors) | 25 | 12.3 | 86 | 42.2 | 58 | 28.4 | 35 | 17.2 |
18) Collaboration with professional interpreters or colleagues providing translation | 44 | 21.6 | 83 | 40.7 | 63 | 30.9 | 14 | 6.9 |
19) Colleagues’/superiors’ sensitivity to cultural diversity | 32 | 15.7 | 96 | 47.1 | 56 | 27.5 | 20 | 9.8 |
20) Preconceived notions about certain groups of patients | 48 | 23.5 | 100 | 49 | 49 | 24 | 7 | 3.4 |
21) Collaboration with religious representatives | 53 | 26 | 103 | 50.5 | 43 | 21.1 | 5 | 2.5 |