Supporting South Asian carers and those they care for: the role of the primary health care team.
BACKGROUND
Demographic and socioeconomic changes have increased policy interest in informal carers. However, despite the multicultural nature of British society, most research in this field has been in majority communities.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the role of the primary health care team (PHCT) in supporting carers from British South Asian communities.


METHODS
Qualitative study.


METHODS
Four South Asian communities in Leicestershire and West Yorkshire.


METHODS
Focus groups and in-depth interviews were used to assess male and female carers, supported by a literature review.


RESULTS
Failure to recognise carers' needs, gaps in service provision, and communication and language issues compromised carers' ability to care. While some carers were positive about the PHCT role, the main weaknesses concerned poor consultation, PHCT attitudes towards carers, and access to appropriate services.


CONCLUSIONS
South Asian carers' experiences largely parallel those of others, but there are some issues that are distinct, namely, language and communication barriers, culturally inappropriate services, and implicit or explicit racism. The multi-ethnic nature of Great Britain requires that professional practice enhances the ability of minority ethnic communities to provide informal care. The findings underline the important role of the PHCT in ensuring that carers' needs are taken seriously and that appropriate services reach them.
Katbamna
Savita
S
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Leicester.
Bhakta
Padma
P
Ahmad
Waqar
W
Baker
Richard
R
Parker
Gillian
G
D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D004739:England; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000208:ethnology*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D024382:Professional Role; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012944:Social Support