Newcomer challenges with accessing healthcare services in Saskatchewan, Canada

Abstract

Newcomers experience a variety of barriers to healthcare services. The study objective is to identify newcomers’ healthcare barriers. During 2014-2015, we conducted in-depth interviews with service providers, and newcomer parents who had been in Saskatchewan for under 5 years. Primary themes include: 1) navigation difficulty, 2) limited awareness, 3) language, 4) interpretation and translation, 5) health benefits, 6) service limitations and stigma, 7) gender and cultural concerns, 8) health attitudes and beliefs, and 9) work demands. The results exposed service gaps and suggest options to improve access to healthcare. Consideration should be given to the development of formal processes to ensure the provision of information concerning healthcare and health benefit programs, as well as responsive healthcare services, including convenient primary healthcare sites that offer comprehensive care in a culturally responsive manner with embedded interpretation services to ensure that the Saskatchewan healthcare system does not perpetuate or create health disparities.

Adjusting the Canadian Healthcare System to Meet Newcomer Needs

“…Newcomers to Saskatchewan may experience a variety of barriers to accessing healthcare services, including low health literacy, lack of familiarity with the healthcare system, cultural competency, cost, traditional beliefs, language difficulties, appointment time limitations, and lack of childcare or transportation [ 10 ]. Refugees may also experience additional barriers to healthcare due to discrimination and stigmatization [ 11 ].…”

“…Although immigration is increasing in Saskatchewan, the healthcare system has not yet prioritized service adjustments to respond to immigrant healthcare needs [ 9 ]. Recent research has demonstrated that Saskatchewan newcomers are experiencing substantial barriers to healthcare [ 10 ]. This article explores newcomer families’ experiences with healthcare during their first 5 years in urban areas of Saskatchewan, Canada and their suggestions for healthcare improvements with the aim of informing the development of an accessible newcomer healthcare model.…”