Exploring Health Service Underutilization: A Process Evaluation of the Newcomer Women ’s Health Clinic

AbstractThe BC Women ’s Hospital and Health Centre’s Newcomer Women’s Health Clinic (NWHC) opened in 2014 to fill a gap in services for newcomer women to Canada residing in Metro Vancouver. After 1 year the NWHC was operating at only 50% capacity. An evaluation was conducted to better understand the underutilizat ion of clinic services. Evaluation data was collected via patient intake forms, patient feedback surveys, and one-to-one interviews with both newcomer women and service providers who work with newcomer women. Results highlight the heterogeneity in newcomer women’s experiences including different p erceptions of health, health needs, and health-seeking behaviours. Despite the population’s diversity, some common experiences exist, including difficulties navigating and accessing a new health system and lack of awareness of the NWHC. Findings provide insight for improving the delivery of NWHC s ervices, and contribute to a rich and ongoing dialogue concerning the diversity of experiences of newcomer women in Canada.
Source: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research