PSYSPOCUC

Meeting the healthcare needs of culturally diverse populations: A psycho-sociopolitical approach to cultural competence in health professionals

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The main aim of this research project is to develop a model of cultural competence in health professionals, specifically based on the Portuguese context, emphasizing the complex interplay between the effects of culture and unequal power on health and healthcare with culturally diverse populations. Assuming that healthcare is often given in the context of asymmetrical power relations between professionals and users, a psycho-sociopolitical approach will be developed as a basis for the analysis and promotion of cultural competence. This approach will emphasize: (1) the underlying dynamics of power in health and healthcare in contexts of cultural and human diversity, and (2) a social-ecological approach to research and action in the field of health and healthcare with culturally diverse populations. Taking a participatory action-research approach, particular attention is paid to health needs assessment, good practices, and the empowerment of culturally diverse populations. A multi-method approach will be used, combining qualitative (focus groups with key informants, case studies based on in-depth interviews) and quantitative research techniques (mainly secondary sources and survey). Recommendations for developing interventions and policies will be put forward with the final aim of furthering the provision of adequate, accessible and quality healthcare to all the population, based on values of social justice, human development and equality. This research project is the central activity of a career development plan that will emphasize: (1) the interdisciplinary link between social psychology, community psychology and sociology; (2) the transfer of knowledge to practice; (3) a participatory community-based multi-method approach; and (4) a European perspective.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Researchers have investigated the underlying cause of inequalities in health care between natives and immigrants in Lisbon, Portugal. They also made recommendations on how to address the problem.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Access to adequate health care is an essential human right. However, increasing poverty in Portugal has had a major impact on such access, particularly in economically excluded populations such as immigrants and their descendants.

The EU-funded PSYSPOCUC project was established to investigate this problem in Lisbon, a major urban centre. They applied a participatory research approach to better understand the imbalance of power in the current public health system.

PSYSPOCUC conducted focus groups with leaders of public health organisations, both governmental and private, as well as community leaders. This information was supplemented with surveys conducted among native and immigrant health care users and in-depth interviews with doctors and nurses.

The project confirmed major inequalities in terms of access to and quality of health care. These include problems with access to medicines, difficulties in securing regular appointments and increasing costs of health care.

Researchers identified the socioeconomic status of immigrants as the root cause. Many of those interviewed were unemployed and reported issues with providing enough food for their families.

They hence concluded that Portugal's public health care system was discriminatory on the basis of socioeconomic status rather than ethnicity. To address this, the country needs to place an emphasis on equity in health care, instead of concentrating on narrow cultural views of diversity.