The experiences of refugee Muslim women in the Aotearoa New Zealand healthcare system

Abstract

This study explores the experiences of refugee Muslim women as they accessed and navigated the healthcare system in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). A case-oriented approach was used, where semi-structured interviews were carried out with nine Muslim women who arrived in NZ as refugees. Interviews were carried out in 2020, in Hamilton, NZ. Analysis involved a 'text in context' approach which employed an iterative and interpretive process, by engaging with participant accounts and field notes to unpack the various meanings behind the experiences of the participants in relation to the literature as well as the broader socio-cultural contexts in which these experiences occurred. The findings of this research identified various structural barriers to accessing healthcare such as cost and issues with interpreters, as well as instances of othering in the healthcare settings experienced by refugee Muslim women. In order to tackle inequity in the health system, structural and institutional barriers need to be addressed first, to prompt other levels of othering and discrimination to reduce over time.

‘Look, wait, I’ll translate’: refugee women’s experiences with interpreters in healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand

“…Refugees arrive in a nation like NZ in search of safety, security, and protection in an attempt to build a new home that is free from the inequities and atrocities from which they have fled. Host nations have an obligation to ensure that the rights of refugee women are upheld and that they do not get re-victimised in their new homes (Cassim et al 2021). Research suggests that the experiences of women in healthcare spaces point towards discrimination and othering, where refugee women are inequitably positioned within NZ society (Kale et al 2018;Cassim et al 2021).…”

“…Host nations have an obligation to ensure that the rights of refugee women are upheld and that they do not get re-victimised in their new homes (Cassim et al 2021). Research suggests that the experiences of women in healthcare spaces point towards discrimination and othering, where refugee women are inequitably positioned within NZ society (Kale et al 2018;Cassim et al 2021). Addressing barriers experienced by refugee women in relation to interpreters in healthcare may be a small step to helping refugee women access equitable healthcare in NZ, and in turn to truly make this country their home.…”

“…Refugee women and their support people should not have to advocate for themselves to have a note on their file indicating that they require an interpreter. Research repeatedly highlights the importance of HCPs (primarily doctors and nurses) undertaking cultural sensitivity training when working with refugee communities (Mortensen 2011;Cassim et al 2021). However, less attention is paid to people's interactions with other non-clinical staff in healthcare services, such as receptionists (Tajeu et al 2015).…”

“…The findings reported in this article are part of a broader study exploring the experiences of refugee women in the NZ healthcare system (Cassim et al 2021). In this article, we specifically discuss the findings relating to participant experiences with interpreters.…”

“…Specifically, refugee women's experiences are vital to understanding issues of inequity in the health system, particularly given that services (including health) for female refugees aredescribed as 'gender-blind' (Refugee Women's Resource Project 2003). Explorations into the barriers in accessing healthcare experienced by refugee women internationally (Bhatia and Wallace 2007;Clark et al 2014) and in NZ (Shrestha-Ranjit et al 2020;Cassim et al 2021) have repeatedly discussed the language barrier, requiring the use of either professional or ad hoc, personally known interpreters.…”