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KMID : 1039620160060010002
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Korean Journal of Family Practice
2016 Volume.6 No. 1 p.2 ~ p.7
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Potential Barriers Limiting Myanmar Migrant Workers from Using Healthcare Services in South Korea: A Qualitative Study from the Primary Care Perspective
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최수정:Choi Soo-Jung
신동욱:Shin Dong-Wook/박현정:Park Hyun-Jung/남유선:Nam You-Seon/김준석:Kim Jun-Suk/신중현:Shin Jung-Hyun/이충현:Lee Choong-Hyun/조비룡:Cho Be-Long
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Abstract
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Background: An influx of migrant workers from neighboring countries poses several challenges to South Korea’s primary healthcare system. In this qualitative study, we addressed the healthcare behavior and key barriers that Myanmar migrant workers face when utilizing healthcare from a primary care perspective. We aimed to increase public awareness and suggest effective strategies to improve the healthcare of this population that is understudied in South Korea.
Methods: Thirteen documented migrant workers and five activists from Myanmar were invited to participate in semi-structured focus-group interviews that were facilitated by two interpreters.
Results: Potential barriers existed across all five levels of the core characteristics of primary care: (1) language barriers and time constraints (access); (2) little education about chronic diseases and their complications (continuity); (3) lack of knowledge about utilizing Korean health services (coordination); (4) traditional health beliefs and attitudes, improper perceptions of health risks, and unhealthy practices, such as smoking and binge drinking (community orientation); and (5) a deficient health system lacking surveillance systems for booster vaccinations, ineffective explanation of routine screening results, and a lack of tools for providing health information and guidance (comprehensiveness).
Conclusion: This study identified potential barriers that limit Myanmar migrant workers from obtaining adequate healthcare in South Korea, as related to the characteristics of primary healthcare. A call for effective strategies and resource allocation to address the healthcare needs of this population is required.
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KEYWORD
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Myanmar Migrant Workers, Potential Barriers, Health Service Use
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