Skip to main content

Table 1 Difficulties in Clinical Interactions with Migrant Patients (N = 204)

From: Cultural competency and sensitivity in the curriculum for palliative care professionals: a survey in Switzerland

 

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