'I never really discuss that with my clinician': US consumer perspectives on the place of culture in behavioural healthcare

Abstract

Racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare have been documented in several seminal government reports. As part of a state-wide initiative to identify and eliminate behavioural health disparities, 22 focus groups were held with diverse cultural groups. These groups explored participants’ experiences of receiving publicly funded care and the ways in such care did or did not incorporate their cultural beliefs. Analyses revealed seven themes, namely positive experiences with care, barriers and bridges to trust, issues not discussed in treatment, stereotyping and negative experiences with care, language issues,persistent self-advocacy as a means of getting needs met, and clinician and agency recommendations. The findings of this research highlight the complex and dynamic role of race, ethnicity and culture in the helping relationship and in the development of services and systems that are responsive to the worldviews and values of diverse groups.