Quality in Health Care: Difficulties Due to Ethnic, Cultural and Religious Diversity

Abstract

Objective: To examine the impact of the ethnic, cultural and religious diversity of the new Portuguese society on the quality of health care provided by the national health care system. Method: The interactions between the following concepts and regulations were analysed: Health (World Health Organisation); Quality (International Organization for Standardization); Deontological Code (Portuguese Medical Order); Portuguese Health Law; Portuguese Civil and Penal Code (related to health care practice). Oral interviews were conducted with 30 health care professionals to list the difficulties raised by the diversification of the needs and expectations of the patients and how they were handled. The most relevant situations referred to were analysed by 3 psychologists who identified the potential impact in terms of the mental well-being of the parts involved. V Results: (i) Difficulties in the communication with east-European immigrants. (ii) Disrespect for patient's religious beliefs during treatment. (iii) Insufficient knowledge of basic health science on the part of non-health care professionals with responsibility in health care environments. (iv) Difficulties in the correct interpretation, integration and application of the health concept, codes and law. (v) Diverse negative impact on the mental well-being of the parts involved. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the ethnic, cultural and religious diversity of the society raise new challenges to the Portuguese health care system, which, although being legally prepared to face it, still needs to improve the planning of its activities in order to assure the correct field, implementation of the predefined regulations, minimize the negative impacts and improve the overall quality of health.