What about health representation in healthcare professionals toward immigrant chronic patients: a new tool for discourse analysis

Abstract

In a multicultural diverse society, healthcare professionals (HPs) should adopt a personalized approach with adequate attitudes and behaviors to respond promptly to the needs of patients with different cultural backgrounds who become regular users of the health service. This study aimed to explore the health representations of HPs taking charge of immigrant chronic patients in Italy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, recorded, and transcribed on a sample of 54 HPs. Mixed quali-quantitative analysis was applied, including the method of discourse analysis. Results underlined the prevalence of specific recurring topics and words that highlight positive aspects but also weaknesses in chronic care models for immigrant patients, stressing what needs to be done. Keystones are the relational experience between HPs and patients and new specific training opportunities for HPs. To conclude, a new semi-structured interview schedule is proposed, able to obtain in-depth information on the representation of HPs toward immigrant chronic patients.