Demonstrating cultural competence within health-visiting practice: Working with refugee and asylum-seeking families

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Abstract

This qualitative study explored the experiences of health visitors working with refugee and asylumseeking families in central London, and assessed the dimensions of their cultural competency using Quickfall’s model (Quickfall, 2004, 2010). In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 health visitors. Data were analysed using Framework, a thematicbased analytical method. The findings revealed that the health visitors demonstrated aspects of culturally competent care in relation to Quickfall’s five-step model which was developed from the literature specifically for working with asylum applicants within a primary care setting. Shortcomings with regard to demonstrating cultural competence were related to working for an organisation whose work is governed by external factors such as national legislation and policy. In addition, the complexity of the needs of these vulnerable populations and limited resources sometimes compromised the cultural competence of the health visitors. However, they showed many positive examples of how they provided equity, access and non-discriminatory services, health promotion and socially inclusive services.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What is the impact of cultural competence training among health and mental health providers?

Evidence about the impact of cultural competence training on client health and mental health outcomes is generally inconclusive. Five systematic reviews, including one review of reviews, all published within the past ten years, concur that existing studies lack adequate methodological rigor to draw conclusions about the impact of cultural competence training and programming. Additionally, existing […]

About this study

AGE: Adults

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

GENDER: All

HOST COUNTRY: United Kingdom

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2014

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