Exploring the Impact of Health Care Provider Cultural Competence on New Immigrant Health-Related Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study of Canadian Newcomers.

Abstract

Introduction:New immigrants underutilize health care because of multiple barriers. Although culturally competent health care improves access, it is typically assessed by providers, not newcomers whose perceptions matter most.Methodology:Surveys that included measures of cultural competence and health-related quality of life (QOL) were completed by 117 new immigrants in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. A series of stepwise linear regression analyses were conducted to identify independent predictors of QOL and its four domains: physical health, psychological, social relationships, and environment.Results:Our adjusted results suggest that experiences of discrimination was negatively associated with overall QOL (β = −.313; p < .001) and its psychological (β = −.318; p < .001), social (β = −.177; p = .048), and environmental (β = −.408; p < .001) domains.Discussion:Discrimination negatively influences new immigrant QOL. Provider cultural competency training should emphasize the influence of provider discrimination on immigrant health and explore learners’ values and biases.