Soc Work Public Health. 2014;29(6):561-80. doi: 10.1080/19371918.2014.893417.

Culturally competent health care from the immigrant lens: a qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis (QIMS).

Social work in public health

Arati Maleku, Regina T P Aguirre

PMID: 25144698 DOI: 10.1080/19371918.2014.893417

Abstract

Immigrant groups comprise a large segment of ethnic minorities in the United States. Although the literature is rich with strategies to deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate services to eliminate health inequities, studies addressing cultural competence from the immigrant's perspective are limited. Further research is needed to build knowledge of the predictors and needs of this population, and to influence health care policy and practice. Using qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis, this study describes the lived experience of immigrants accessing health care to understand the essence of cultural competence in health care through their lens. Findings provide insight on expanding the definition of culturally competent health care beyond language, behaviors, attitudes, and policies.

Keywords: Health care experience; cultural competence; culturally competent health care; health care policy; immigrants

MeSH terms

• Culturally Competent Care*
• Emigrants and Immigrants*
• Health Policy
• Humans
• United States

Publication Types

• Journal Article
• Meta-Analysis