Patient participation: A qualitative study of immigrant women and their experiences

摘要

Patient participation in healthcare is a neglected area of interest in the rather extensive amount of research on immigrantnso-called Selma patients in Swedish health care as well as worldwide. The aim is to explore the phenomenon ‘‘patientnparticipation’’ in the context of the Swedish health care from the perspective of immigrants non-fluent in Swedish.nA phenomenological lifeworld approach was chosen. Data were collected from patients within a municipal home care settingnin Sweden. Eight women agreed to participate. In seven interviews, an interpreter was necessary for the translation of theninterview. Five authorized interpreters were used. Data were analysed in accordance to a descriptive phenomenologicalnmethod for caring research. The analysis led to an essence of the phenomenon with three constituents, ‘‘to experiencenparticipation,’’ ‘‘to refrain from participation,’’ and ‘‘to be deprived of participation.’’ Patient participation from thenperspective of immigrant women means that patients are involved and active in their own health and caring processes. Fornthese women, it is particularly important to have the opportunity to express themselves. Patient participation presupposesnprofessional caregivers who act in a way that increases the patients’ opportunities to take part. A skilled interpreter is oftennnecessary in order to enable the patient participation.