Abstract
Abstract Background Previous international studies show that perceived unjust treatment is relatively common among people with foreign background (PFB) in medical services. This study examines the association between unjust treatment in medical settings and unmet need for general practitioner's (GP) services among PFB in Finland. Methods The data for this study were drawn from Survey on work and well-being among people of foreign origin (UTH) (N = 5449, response rate 66%), conducted in 2014-2015. Respondent characteristics were weighted and summarized, and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to assess the adjusted odds ratios (OR) of association between self-assessed unjust treatment and unmet need for medical care. The analyses were conducted in a three-step process where the first model tested the association between unjust treatment in medical care settings and unmet need for GP services, second model adjusted this association by sociodemographic factors, and the third model further adjusted the previous models by migration related factors. Results PFB reporting unjust treatment were significantly more likely to experience unmet need for GP services, even after controlling for other tested factors (OR = 8.73, 95% CI 6.18-12.33, p<.001). Besides unjust treatment, only employment status was associated with unmet need for GP services (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.08-1.89, p = 0.123) in the final model. Immigration related factors were not associated with unmet need for care in this model. Conclusions Perceived unjust treatment in medical settings is strongly associated with unmet need for GP services. Key messages Cultural sensitive treatment could affect the inequities in unmet need for GP services between PFB and overall population. Ensuring cultural competence throughout organizational structures, and not just for individual employees, could create an environment to promote equal treatment of all clients.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.