Objective: To explore general practitioners' perceptions of effective health care for new migrant women in Auckland, New Zealand and the women perceptions of the quality of care received. Method: A Postal semi structured questionnaire, were mailed to a sample of ten non-randomly selected physicians working in South Auckland Area and a sample of thirty of their patients who represent recently immigrated women of different ethnic groups ( Asian, Middle Eastern, Indian). Findings: Response rate was 89% among physicians and 97% among women. The most common complaints by women as reported by their physicians, were palpitations, headaches, tearfulness, sleeping difficulties, chest pain, loss of appetite and lack of energy. They often visiting the clinic with increasing frequency. Physicians perceived that building a rapport of trust and comfort with women ranked most important in making their patients feel cared for and satisfied with quality of services. Women's perception of caring received by the physicians, ranked as unkind, rushed, and unsupportive, mostly ineffective communications. They perceived that well understanding of women complains, being easily accessible at time needed and following through with things as being most caring. Physician's ethnic origin was related to the respondent's perceptions of quality of care. As for physicians of a similar ethnic groups perceived as supplying higher quality of care than their counterparts.
Conclusion: There was a great difference in perception of the provided quality of care between the immigrant women and their physicians. Cultural and communication issues might explain some of the differences in the perceived quality of care.
Learning Objectives: 1. Evaluate the perception of immigrant women on effective health care in your area. 2. discuss the pereceptions of the general practitioner of effective health care for immigrant women and how it's related to their performance.
Keywords: Immigrant Women, Quality of Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.