A descriptive phenomenology study of newcomers’ experience of maternity care services: Chinese women’s perspectives

Abstract

BackgroundMaternity health care available in Canada is based on the needs of women born in Canada and often lacks the flexibility to meet the needs of immigrant women. The purpose of this study was to explore immigrant Chinese women’s experiences in accessing maternity care, the utilization of maternity health services, and the obstacles they perceived in Canada.MethodsThis descriptive phenomenology study used in-depth semi-structured interviews to examine immigrant Chinese women’s experiences. Fifteen participants were recruited from the Chinese community in Toronto, Canada by using purposive sampling. The interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim into written Chinese. The transcripts were analyzed using Colaizzi’s (1978) phenomenological method.ResultsSix themes were extracted from the interviews: (1) preference for linguistically and culturally competent healthcare providers, with obstetricians over midwives, (2) strategies to deal with the inconvenience of the Canadian healthcare system (3) multiple resources to obtain pregnancy information, (4) the merits of the Canadian healthcare system, (5) the need for culturally sensitive care, and (6) the emergence of alternative supports and the use of private services.ConclusionsThe findings provide new knowledge and understanding of immigrant Chinese women’s experiences in accessing maternity health services within a large metropolitan Canadian city. Participants described two unique experiences within the themes: preference for linguistically and culturally competent healthcare providers, with obstetricians over midwives, and the emergence of alternative supports and the use of private services. Few studies of immigrant maternity service access have identified these experiences which may be linked to cultural difference. Further investigation with women from different cultural backgrounds is needed to develop a comprehensive understanding of immigrant women’s experiences with maternity care.

Barriers to Access of Primary Healthcare by Immigrant Populations in Canada: A Literature Review

“…Immigrants may also prefer that their own physician be present during their childbirth whereas in the Canadian healthcare system it is often the duty of the ''on call'' physician. This was reported in a study conducted on Chinese immigrants [20]. Moreover, immigrants compare the Canadian healthcare system to that of their country of origin and thus criticize even the positive aspects of Canadian healthcare.…”

“…One of the most pronounced cultural barriers is related to physicians' gender. Immigrant women, particularly Asian, South Asian and practicing Muslims prefer female physicians for their care, especially for maternity and gynecological issues [18][19][20][21]. Both patients and physicians identified ''gender preference'' as a potential [22][23][24].…”

“…Both patients and physicians identified ''gender preference'' as a potential [22][23][24]. Further, Asian women and Muslim women sometimes look for physicians from the same ethnic background because they think that these physicians would better understand their cultural and religious norms [20]. Moreover, South Asian immigrant women generally feel shy and uncomfortable having physical exams even when completed by female physicians.…”

“…One example is that Chinese immigrants prefer an obstetrician to a midwife for their care. This is because there is a perception among Chinese immigrants that care provided by midwives and nurses is substandard and that physicians will provide the best service because they are highly trained [20]. Sometimes nurses and midwives have to spend additional time to explain their role to their immigrant patients before being able to provide care [24].…”

The effect of peer education to anxiety of teenagers in post menarche in sub district Kasihan Bantul, Indonesia

“…The final stage is to validate the data collected by the participants. [23][24][25] Qualitative analysis to strengthen the results of quantitative analysis by in-depth interviews in 5 participants. Chronology in brief course of study can be seen in Figure 1.…”