Challenges of healthcare professionals in providing care to South Asian ethnic minority patients in Hong Kong: A qualitative study

• Published in: Health & social care in the community Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 591 - 601
• Main Authors: Vandan, Nimisha, Wong, Janet Yuen‐Ha, Lee, Jay Jung‐Jae, Yip, Paul Siu‐Fai, Fong, Daniel Yee‐Tak
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Hindawi Limited 01.03.2020
• Subjects: Asian Continental Ancestry Group; Attitude of Health Personnel; Challenges; Clinical outcomes; Competence; Cultural competence; Cultural Competency; Cultural Diversity; Ethnic groups; Ethnic Groups - statistics & numerical data; ethnic minority; Ethnicity; Female; Health problems; Health services; Health Services Needs and Demand - organization & administration; Health status; Healthcare Disparities - statistics & numerical data; Hong Kong; Humans; Illnesses; intercultural care; Male; Medical personnel; Minority & ethnic groups; Minority groups; Minority Groups - statistics & numerical data; Multiculturalism & pluralism; nursing; Patients; patient–provider communication; Perceptions; Policy making; Professional education; Professional training; Professionals; Qualitative Research; Quality of care; Sociocultural factors; Hong Kong; Hong Kong China; China; cultural competency; patient-provider communication; nursing; qualitative research; ethnic minority; intercultural care
• ISSN: 0966-0410; 1365-2524
• DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12892

Ethnic minorities across the globe encounter disparities in healthcare. While a great deal of research has been conducted on the experiences of these patients, studies focusing on the perspectives of healthcare professionals are limited, particularly in the context of Asia. This study explores the perceptions of and challenges faced by Hong Kong healthcare professionals in the provision of culturally appropriate care to South Asian ethnic minority patients. Taking a qualitative approach, interviews were conducted with 22 healthcare professionals. Two main themes were identified: ‘lack of support’ at the healthcare system level and ‘dysfunctional relationship with South Asian ethnic minority patients’ at the interpersonal level. Challenges at the healthcare system level include information outreach, cultural competency, utilisation of available resources and time and workload, whereas challenges at the interpersonal level include patient–provider interaction, patient–provider perceptions of illness and care and patient–provider sociocultural discordance. Intercultural care was found to be influenced by both the healthcare system and interpersonal characteristics. The study highlights the need for healthcare professional education and training in cultural competency, in order to improve the provision of intercultural care. Identifying the challenges faced by healthcare professionals and the implications of these challenges for the provision of healthcare to South Asian ethnic minority patients will help practitioners, policy makers and care provider agencies to improve quality of care and health outcomes for culturally diverse patients.