[Obstetric health care offered to Turkish immigrant women--a quality assessment]

The object of this investigation was to make a quality-assessment of the care offered to pregnant and delivering Turkish immigrant women by the Danish health care system. The quality-assessment was made as a Medical Audit using data obtained from relevant medical records as well as from semi-structured interviews with the women. Thirteen cases were evaluated among the 65 Turkish women included in the project by having delivered at Aarhus Kommunehospital in the period between April 1 and December 15 1989. In this material no severe obstetrical deficiencies were found, but other types of deficiencies were observed. Bad communication due to insufficient use of trained interpreters and to the health personnel's lack of knowledge about cultural background often resulted in mutual misunderstandings. Most of the women were examined by many different doctors and midwives during pregnancy and delivery. It is demonstrated, that the lack of continuity was an additional strain of these women. It is concluded that the difficulties in communication are potentially dangerous, increasing the risk of delayed or missing obstetrical intervention. The insufficient communication demonstrated causes insecurity and inappropriate care.