Working with immigrant families raising a child with a disability: challenges and recommendations for healthcare and community service providers

Abstract

Purpose: Although providing culturally sensitive care is an important element of family-centered rehabilitation very is little known about providers’ experiences working with immigrant families in pediatric settings. The purpose of this study is to develop a better understanding of the experiences of service providers working with immigrant families raising a child with a physical disability. Method: We draw on a qualitative approach involving in-depth interviews and focus groups with healthcare and community service providers (n = 13) in two multi-cultural Canadian cities. Results: The findings indicate that healthcare and community service providers encounter several challenges in providing care to immigrant families raising a child with a disability. Such challenges include the following: (1) lack of training in providing culturally sensitive care; (2) language and communication issues; (3) discrepancies in conceptualizations of disability between healthcare providers and immigrant parents; (4) building rapport; and (5) helping parents to advocate for themselves and their children. Service providers also have several recommendations for improving services to better meet the needs of immigrant families. Conclusion: Clinicians should be cognizant of how culture influences the care they provide to clients. More training opportunities are needed for enhancing culturally sensitive care.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Pediatric rehabilitation providers working with immigrant families raising a child with a disability should engage in training and education around culturally sensitive care to better meet the needs of these clients.

• More time is needed when working with immigrant families to build trust and rapport.

• Clinicians need to be sensitive around gender issues and try to involve both parents in the decision making around the care for their child.

• Healthcare providers should help clients to become more aware of the resources available to them in the hospital and in the community.

Keywords::

• Immigrant
• culturally sensitive care
• children
• healthcare providers

Acknowledgements

We thank the research assistance from Suzanne Robinson and Cortleigh Teolis for their support to the project. We also gratefully acknowledge the valuable insight provided by the health and community service providers who took part in this study.

Declaration of Interest: This study was funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.