FACILITATORS AND BARRIERS TO ACCESS AND UTILIZATION OF PREVENTIVE SERVICES AMONG NEW IMMIGRANT IN A NEW COUNTRY

Introduction and objective: Despite efforts to provide high quality healthcare services to all Canadians differences are observed in the health outcomes between immigrants and Canadian-born counterparts (Newbold, 2005). Further, there is difference between foreign-born and Canadian-born residents in the extent to which healthcare services are accessed and utilized (Xu & Borders, 2008). This study was carried out to identify challenges faced by new immigrants when trying to access primary healthcare in a new country. Methods: A research team consisting of family physicians, medical and psychology students, and a researcher, carried out focus groups with 28 women and 9 men from 15 different countries currently residing in a city in Central Canada. Results and conclusions: Thematic data analysis revealed that limited English language skills, lack of familiarity with the appointment system and the referral system, and long wait times were barriers to accessing primary healthcare in a timely manner. Most participants expressed dissatisfaction with the potency of medications received; the time spent in appointments and the way information about their health status was communicated to them by healthcare professionals. Interestingly, this research shows that the healthcare system in the country of origin shaped immigrants’ health seeking behavior, expectations about services required and expectations from healthcare professionals delivering healthcare. Limited language skills, knowledge gap about healthcare services and inability to find the type of healthcare services immigrants are familiar with in their country of origin; delayed access to available healthcare services, and created anxiety and concern that appropriate healthcare will not be available at the time of imminent need.