Accessing health care : a look into the culture of foreigners living in Salo, Finland for better service provision

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to find out how immigrants living in the city of Salo could utilize the healthcare services better by informing the healthcare personnel of their needs as people from diverse religious and cultural upbringing. This bachelor’s thesis discusses culture, its implications and acts as a directing tool to the health care providers. Systematic literature review and interviews n=20 were the methods used to approach this study. Relevant literature was analyzed by the authors then compared to the feedback from the interviews. No existing past study on this topic was found in Salo. The findings indicate a lack of cultural tolerance and understanding from both the immigrants and the healthcare workers. Most immigrants feel that their cultural and religious preferences are not understood by the health care personnel. The quest for this awareness is vital for the general immigrant population of Salo for they will be able to consume the health services provided comfortably and the healthcare workers will be able to do their work efficiently equipped with the relevant cultural competence. Since this study was requested by the city of Salo, a further study of a qualitative nature should be conducted on the experiences of the healthcare personnel while providing services to the immigrants. This can provide a general scope of the situation and lead to lasting solutions.