‘Just doing the best we can’: health care providers’ perceptions of barriers to providing care to Marshallese patients in Arkansas

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Marshallese migrating to the United States encounter challenges in accessing health care. Previous literature has investigated Marshallese participants’ perceptions of the barriers they face in accessing health care. For this study, health care providers managing the care of Marshallese patients were interviewed to understand the providers’ perception of barriers that their Marshallese patients encounter. Methods: A qualitative research design was utilized to explore health care providers’ perceptions of and experiences with the barriers faced by their Marshallese patients when accessing the US health care system. Results: The primary barriers identified were: (1) economic barriers; (2) communication challenges; (3) difficulty understanding and navigating the western health care system; and (4) structural and system barriers. Conclusion: This study provides insight on the barriers Marshallese patients face in accessing health care as well as the barriers providers face in delivering care to Marshallese patients. A better understanding of these barriers can help health care providers and educators to begin initiating improvements in the delivery of care to Marshallese patients.