title: Kosovo-Serbs' experiences of seeking healthcare in a post-conflict and ethnically segregated health system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the experiences of Kosovo-Serbs who seek healthcare in the formal Kosovo health system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven semi-structured interviews were carried out with Kosovo-Serbs who live in one of the following mono-ethnic enclaves: Gorazhdevc/Goraždevac, Videje/Vidanje, Klinë/Klina and Viti/Vitina. A phenomenological approach was used to collect and analyze data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis shows the critical role of the depth of the relationship with Kosovo-Albanian doctors in the Kosovo-Serbs' experience of seeking care in the formal sector. The patient-doctor relationship is the result of two processes-longitudinal care and consultation experiences. Four elements, i.e., knowledge, trust, closeness and regard were identified as key aspects contributing to the depth of the relationship between Kosovo-Serb patients and Kosovo-Albanian doctors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fear, anxiety and language differences are still important barriers to Kosovo-Serbs' access to formal health care. These barriers are partly overcome as interviewees establish and develop relationships to Kosovo-Albanian doctors based on reciprocal knowledge, trust, closeness, and regard. Hereby, Kosovo-Serb patients and Kosovo-Albanian doctors contribute to blur the lines the ethnically divided health system and transcend the legacy of war.
authors.affiliation: Copenhagen School of Global Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. julietta_luta@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Xhyljeta
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Luta
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dræbel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D063826:Kosovo; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D063505:Racism; D055771:Serbia / Q000208:ethnology; D014857:Warfare