title: Experiences of French speaking immigrants and non-immigrants accessing health care services in a large Canadian city.
abstract: French speakers residing in predominantly English-speaking communities have been linked to difficulties accessing health care. This study examined health care access experiences of immigrants and non-immigrants who self-identify as Francophone or French speakers in a mainly English speaking province of Canada. We used semi-structured interviews to gather opinions of recent users of physician and hospital services (N = 26). Language barriers and difficulties finding family doctors were experienced by both French speaking immigrants and non-immigrants alike. This was exacerbated by a general preference for health services in French and less interest in using language interpreters during a medical consultation. Some participants experienced emotional distress, were discontent with care received, often delayed seeking care due to language barriers. Recent immigrants identified lack of insurance coverage for drugs, transportation difficulties and limited knowledge of the healthcare system as major detractors to achieving health. This study provided the groundwork for future research on health issues of official language minorities in Canada.
authors.affiliation: Health Quality Council of Alberta, 210, 811-14 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 2A4, Canada. emmanuel.ngwakongnwi@hqca.ca
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ngwakongnwi
authors.forename: Brenda R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Hemmelgarn
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Musto
authors.forename: Hude
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Quan
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: King-Shier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000416:Alberta; D002947:Cities; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010821:Physicians, Family