“I haven’t even taken them to the doctors, because I have that fear of what to expect ”: a qualitative description study exploring perceptions and experiences of early childhood healthcare among ethnically diverse caregivers in Aotearoa New Zealand

Authors: Charania NA et al.

Summary: Ensuring trusting relationships and positive health encounters for ethnically diverse caregivers of preschool children requires a non-judgemental, competent, and culturally sensitive approach by healthcare professionals and services. This was the finding of a qualitative study of 145 caregivers who identified as Māori, Pacific, Asian and/or European. Caregivers relied on multiple sources of health information, in particular trusting providers or other caregivers who had children. They were often disappointed that health providers did not build trusting relationships to support positive experiences. Caregivers often felt judged by providers when accessing care and felt pressure to conform. They were frustrated by slowness and fragmentation of the health system. Caregivers had to be proactive and assertive to ensure their child received care amidst numerous barriers, including discrimination and bias. Policies are required to alleviate the indirect costs of accessing healthcare, prioritising of whānau/family-centred car

Reference: Lancet Reg Health West Pac. 2023;40:100882.