"It is better to treat a Vietnamese woman than a Czech": Strange interactions between healthcare professionals and women in the context of perinatal care

Abstract

The periods of pregnancy, childbirth and becoming a mother are some of the most important moments in a woman's life-and they are usually experienced within a healthcare institution. However, contact with the healthcare system during these periods can bring a number of difficulties and barriers for women with other nationality than Czech and affect interactions between them and healthcare professionals. The aim of this text is to explain how the category "foreigner" is established, and what "strangeness" means for healthcare professionals in relation to women within the context of perinatal care. The qualitative research was focused on healthcare professionals' experiences with women of different nationality. During the research, several in-depth interviews, non-participant observations and informal interviews were conducted. Healthcare professionals distinguish two categories of women who were not born in the Czech Republic-"our foreigners" and "migrants"-with regard to geographical and cultural proximity within their everyday practice. Foreignborn women are perceived by healthcare professionals as "obedient" patients who don't disrupt the routine of everyday medical practice. However, "strangeness" is not interpreted by healthcare professionals on the basis of a different nationality, but mainly due to problematic communication, non-cooperation, mistrust, and challenging women.

Usage of eHealth/mHealth Services among Young Czech Adults and the Impact of COVID-19: An Explorative Survey

“…Presently, little is known about all these problems in the context of the Czech Republic. Future research is warranted to uncover what platforms health information seekers use and what obstacles they face when bringing acquired health information into the discussion with health professionals [ 56 ].…”

Trust in maternity care: challenges for healthcare professionals and migrant women

“…The conflict between expected and experienced communication difficulties with healthcare professionals affecting trust has also been documented (Kynø and Hanssen, 2022). Empirical evidence shows that many migrant women receive inadequate information, and health professionals automatically assume that migrant women are passive and unable to participate in the decision-making process -which is why professionals neglect women's involvement (Glajchová, 2019). Women's negative experiences may reinforce their feelings of insecurity and distrust of the healthcare system.…”

“…Some studies have addressed the limits of access to health care, the healthy migrant effect (Drbohlav and Dzúrová, 2017), and migrants' awareness of the Czech insurance and healthcare systems (Schebelle et al, 2020). Only a few studies have focused on mi-127 grant women and their specific needs in the Czech Republic, pointing out the economic burdens of migrant women when receiving gynaecological care (Pěničková, 2014), the vulnerability of migrant women as a consequence of communication barriers (Hrešanová and Glajchová, 2018), and the welcomed obedience of migrant women (Glajchová, 2019).…”

“…However, the lack of professional interpreters and the associated administrative and financial costs complicate this option for many migrant women. As a result, many migrants ask relatives or community members to communicate with health professionals (Glajchová, 2019).…”