Cultural Humility in Action: Learning From Refugee and Migrant Women and Healthcare Providers to Improve Maternal Health Services in Australia

ABSTRACT Introduction Access to culturally appropriate healthcare is vital to ensure refugee and migrant women receive optimal care, particularly during the perinatal period. Refugee and migrant women report lower satisfaction with pregnancy care due to language barriers and a perceived lack of unde...

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Main Authors: Delia Rambaldini‐Gooding, Katarzyna Olcoń, Luke Molloy, Leissa Pitts, Sofia Lema, Eman Baghdadi, Jane Williams, Chris Degeling
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-12-01
Series:Health Expectations
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70106
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author Delia Rambaldini‐Gooding
Katarzyna Olcoń
Luke Molloy
Leissa Pitts
Sofia Lema
Eman Baghdadi
Jane Williams
Chris Degeling
author_facet Delia Rambaldini‐Gooding
Katarzyna Olcoń
Luke Molloy
Leissa Pitts
Sofia Lema
Eman Baghdadi
Jane Williams
Chris Degeling
author_sort Delia Rambaldini‐Gooding
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Introduction Access to culturally appropriate healthcare is vital to ensure refugee and migrant women receive optimal care, particularly during the perinatal period. Refugee and migrant women report lower satisfaction with pregnancy care due to language barriers and a perceived lack of understanding of their needs. The aim of this study is to explore how to improve the experiences of migrant and refugee women with maternal health services through the lens of cultural humility. Methods Working collaboratively with maternal health service providers and managers and local refugee and migrant women, this research project used a World Café methodology to provide these stakeholders with an opportunity to discuss maternal healthcare in the region. World Café participants (n = 34) included women from multicultural backgrounds (n = 20), maternal healthcare providers such as midwives, social workers and management (n = 5) multicultural healthcare providers (n = 7) and a community‐based birth educator (n = 1). Data were analysed thematically. Results A key finding of the World Café was the need for staff training that is co‐designed and co‐delivered with members of multicultural communities and healthcare providers to enhance the practice of cultural humility. Training should focus on women's stories that capture the cultural nuances around pregnancy and birthing, their support needs including trauma‐informed care, and the importance of effective cross‐cultural communication. Conclusion This research gave refugee and migrant women a voice in future decision‐making, specifically in maternal health staff training. The refugee and migrant women shared their perspectives on how to enhance cultural humility practices in maternity services for them. The research has led to opportunities such as community‐based antenatal classes and improvements in maternity services development strategies. Public Contribution The project actively engaged with maternal healthcare providers, multicultural and refugee healthcare providers and women from multicultural communities in the design of the project and as participants. Their expertise and experience have been invaluable and have informed pilot programmes that emerged from this study.
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spelling doaj-art-b1c2eca2a27e45f687b1748a1a514f672025-08-20T02:45:50ZengWileyHealth Expectations1369-65131369-76252024-12-01276n/an/a10.1111/hex.70106Cultural Humility in Action: Learning From Refugee and Migrant Women and Healthcare Providers to Improve Maternal Health Services in AustraliaDelia Rambaldini‐Gooding0Katarzyna Olcoń1Luke Molloy2Leissa Pitts3Sofia Lema4Eman Baghdadi5Jane Williams6Chris Degeling7University of Wollongong Wollongong New South Wales AustraliaUniversity of Wollongong Wollongong New South Wales AustraliaUniversity of Wollongong Wollongong New South Wales AustraliaMulticultural and Refugee Health Service Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Wollongong New South Wales AustraliaMulticultural and Refugee Health Service Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Wollongong New South Wales AustraliaMulticultural and Refugee Health Service Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Wollongong New South Wales AustraliaUniversity of Wollongong Wollongong New South Wales AustraliaUniversity of Wollongong Wollongong New South Wales AustraliaABSTRACT Introduction Access to culturally appropriate healthcare is vital to ensure refugee and migrant women receive optimal care, particularly during the perinatal period. Refugee and migrant women report lower satisfaction with pregnancy care due to language barriers and a perceived lack of understanding of their needs. The aim of this study is to explore how to improve the experiences of migrant and refugee women with maternal health services through the lens of cultural humility. Methods Working collaboratively with maternal health service providers and managers and local refugee and migrant women, this research project used a World Café methodology to provide these stakeholders with an opportunity to discuss maternal healthcare in the region. World Café participants (n = 34) included women from multicultural backgrounds (n = 20), maternal healthcare providers such as midwives, social workers and management (n = 5) multicultural healthcare providers (n = 7) and a community‐based birth educator (n = 1). Data were analysed thematically. Results A key finding of the World Café was the need for staff training that is co‐designed and co‐delivered with members of multicultural communities and healthcare providers to enhance the practice of cultural humility. Training should focus on women's stories that capture the cultural nuances around pregnancy and birthing, their support needs including trauma‐informed care, and the importance of effective cross‐cultural communication. Conclusion This research gave refugee and migrant women a voice in future decision‐making, specifically in maternal health staff training. The refugee and migrant women shared their perspectives on how to enhance cultural humility practices in maternity services for them. The research has led to opportunities such as community‐based antenatal classes and improvements in maternity services development strategies. Public Contribution The project actively engaged with maternal healthcare providers, multicultural and refugee healthcare providers and women from multicultural communities in the design of the project and as participants. Their expertise and experience have been invaluable and have informed pilot programmes that emerged from this study.https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70106Cultural humilityHealth policyMaternal healthMigrant womenRefugee womenService providers
spellingShingle Delia Rambaldini‐Gooding
Katarzyna Olcoń
Luke Molloy
Leissa Pitts
Sofia Lema
Eman Baghdadi
Jane Williams
Chris Degeling
Cultural Humility in Action: Learning From Refugee and Migrant Women and Healthcare Providers to Improve Maternal Health Services in Australia
Health Expectations
Cultural humility
Health policy
Maternal health
Migrant women
Refugee women
Service providers
title Cultural Humility in Action: Learning From Refugee and Migrant Women and Healthcare Providers to Improve Maternal Health Services in Australia
title_full Cultural Humility in Action: Learning From Refugee and Migrant Women and Healthcare Providers to Improve Maternal Health Services in Australia
title_fullStr Cultural Humility in Action: Learning From Refugee and Migrant Women and Healthcare Providers to Improve Maternal Health Services in Australia
title_full_unstemmed Cultural Humility in Action: Learning From Refugee and Migrant Women and Healthcare Providers to Improve Maternal Health Services in Australia
title_short Cultural Humility in Action: Learning From Refugee and Migrant Women and Healthcare Providers to Improve Maternal Health Services in Australia
title_sort cultural humility in action learning from refugee and migrant women and healthcare providers to improve maternal health services in australia
topic Cultural humility
Health policy
Maternal health
Migrant women
Refugee women
Service providers
url https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70106
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