Access, expectations and communication: Japanese mothers' interaction with GPs in a pilot study in North London

The objectives of this study were: (i) to assess access to British GPs among Japanese mothers in Barnet: (ii) to describe what Japanese mothers expect from a consultation with a GP and; (iii) to understand what the barriers are for Japanese mothers in communicating with GPs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eighteen Japanese mothers residing in Barnet, North London, England. The interviews were recorded and their content subsequently transcribed and translated into English. First, gaining quick access to GPs was found to be much more difficult than communicating with GPs. The receptionist and appointment systems were sometimes seen as impediments to early consultation. Second, language was regarded as the biggest barrier in face-to-face communication. In particular the Japanese mothers found it difficult to understand colloquial expressions which were sometimes favoured by GPs. Third, GPs were unfamiliar with the Japanese mothers' expectations and experiences within their own health care system. These findings in relation to access, expectations and communication have provided us with some pointers as to the nature of the current difficulties experienced by one ethnic group.