Health workers’ attitudes toward immigrant patients: a cross-sectional survey in primary health care services

Human Resources for Health

Research

Sónia Dias¹  Ana Gama¹  Maria O Martins²  Helena Cargaleiro³ 

[1] Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical & CMDT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal;Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical & UPMM, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal;Ministry of Health, Avenida João Crisóstomo 14, 1000-179, Lisbon, Portugal;

关键词: Health Worker;    Positive Attitude;    Multiple Linear Regression Analysis;    Professional Experience;    Office Worker;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1478-4491-10-14

 received in 2011-01-17, accepted in 2012-07-09,  发布年份 2012

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHealth workers’ attitudes toward immigrant patients influence behaviour, medical decisions, quality of care and health outcomes. Despite the increasing number of immigrant patients in health services and the potential influence of health workers’ attitudes, there is little research in this area. This study aimed to examine attitudes of different health workers’ groups toward immigrant patients and to identify the associated factors.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted with a random sample of 400 health workers from primary health care services in the Lisbon region, Portugal. Among those, 320 completed a structured questionnaire. Descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used for the evaluation of data.ResultsMost participants did not agree that immigrant patients tend to behave like victims, but about half considered that some are aggressive and dangerous. Doctors and nurses showed more positive attitudes than office workers. Among doctors, the older ones reported less positive attitudes compared to the younger ones. Health workers who have less daily contact with immigrants revealed more positive attitudes. Most participants evaluated their knowledge and competencies to work with immigrants as moderate or low.ConclusionsAlthough health workers reveal positive attitudes, this study reinforces the need to develop strategies that prevent negative attitudes and stereotyping in health services. Efforts should be made to improve workers’ competencies to deal with culturally diverse populations, in order to promote quality of health care and obtain positive health outcomes among immigrant populations.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Dias et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2012