Abstract
The objectives of this study were to investigate how asthma patients from new immigrant groups are being informed and educated
about asthma and its management, and to identify barriers to knowledge transfer. Four focus groups (n = 29) from Latino, Chinese,
Iranian and Punjabi cultural communities were conducted with asthmatic patients in the Greater Vancouver Area. Our results
from the focus group discussions can be summarized in four broad areas (a) perceptions of and ways of coping with asthma,
(b) perceptions of whether the healthcare system is culturally competent, (c) perceptions of language barriers in regards
to accessing the healthcare system, and (d) perceptions of how to access reliable asthma information. The results of this
study highlight the importance of diverse cultural beliefs and practices as factors that should be taken into consideration
when tailoring interventions to improve asthma outcomes in vulnerable populations, including patients from ethno-cultural
communities.
about asthma and its management, and to identify barriers to knowledge transfer. Four focus groups (n = 29) from Latino, Chinese,
Iranian and Punjabi cultural communities were conducted with asthmatic patients in the Greater Vancouver Area. Our results
from the focus group discussions can be summarized in four broad areas (a) perceptions of and ways of coping with asthma,
(b) perceptions of whether the healthcare system is culturally competent, (c) perceptions of language barriers in regards
to accessing the healthcare system, and (d) perceptions of how to access reliable asthma information. The results of this
study highlight the importance of diverse cultural beliefs and practices as factors that should be taken into consideration
when tailoring interventions to improve asthma outcomes in vulnerable populations, including patients from ethno-cultural
communities.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-010-9405-x
- Authors
- Iraj Poureslami, UBC and VGH Divisions of Respiratory Medicine, Centre for Lung Health The Lung Centre, University of British Columbia, 7th Floor, Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Irving Rootman, Faculty of Human and Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada
- Mary M. Doyle-Waters, Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Laura Nimmon, Department of Language and Literacy Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- J. Mark FitzGerald, UBC and VGH Divisions of Respiratory Medicine, Centre for Lung Health The Lung Centre, University of British Columbia, 7th Floor, Gordon and Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912