Improving health care provision to Somali refugee women

A growing number of Somali refugees are calling Minnesota home. Health care providers need to understand how best to serve these newcomers, many of whom are accustomed to a very different health care system and have a variety of expectations when it comes to the care they receive and the way it's delivered. This study sought to gain insight into the health practices and health care preferences of Somali refugee women living in the United States, as well as their experiences with the U.S. health care system. In focus group discussions, participants expressed their preference for seeing women physicians, distrust of interpreters, and willingness to follow their physician's advice. They also shared stories about incidents during which they felt they had been the victims of stereotyping. Increasing the number of qualified translators and providing cultural competency training for clinic staff are recommended first steps for improving the provision of care to Somali refugee women.