A Qualitative Analysis of the Experiences, Attitudes, Preparation, and Barriers of Primary Care Providers Related to Their Care for Patients With Refugee Backgrounds.

Abstract

Primary care providers (PCPs) have a responsibility to care for patients with refugee backgrounds, often treating unfamiliar diseases and addressing culturally rooted concerns for which the provider has limited knowledge. Despite mandatory cross-cultural training requirements for medical school accreditation, studies among healthcare providers have reported a lack of training and feeling unprepared in caring for immigrant and refugee populations. Our aim was to determine the experiences, attitudes, preparedness, skills, and barriers PCPs have in caring for patients with refugee backgrounds. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with PCPs which were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using template analysis. Nine PCPs were interviewed. Medical specialties included family medicine (n = 5), internal medicine (n = 2), and pediatrics (n = 2). Resulting themes highlighted the complexity of caring for patients, that on-the-job experiences were helpful in building preparedness, while training during clinical degree programs was limited, and that numerous barriers posed as challenges to providing care. Caring for patients with refugee backgrounds presents unique challenges that affect the patient-provider relationship. While PCPs find caring for patients with refugee backgrounds rewarding, they are faced with time constraints, cultural differences, and complex challenges that require interdisciplinary strategies to mitigate.