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Meeting and treating patients from other countries and cultures constitutes a challenge for health care. The number of immigrants and refugees has seen a rapid increase in recent years in Sweden. Expectations and experiences of health and illness often differ among these immigrant groups compared with the inhabitants of the majority society. This paper examines the situation of Somali refugees living in a multicultural suburban area of a large city in southern Sweden, and the aim was to illuminate and document their thoughts and experiences in relation to health and illness. Thirteen interviews with Somalis of different sexes and ages were conducted in the informant's homes. A hermeneutic-phenomenological approach was used in the analysis. The findings revealed an essential theme - a life in exile - that permeated every subject that was discussed and talked about. This was expressed in the following aspects: longing for the homeland, pain - a companion in exile, prejudice and discrimination, family - comfort and trouble, religion and beliefs in Jinns. Complex feelings of bi-nationality and of being uprooted were expressed. Prior knowledge about the hardships involved in a life as a refugee may allow and increase the possibilities for better communication, increased trust and mutual respect in order to achieve a meaningful encounter with health care personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To study a group of general practitioners' (GPs) views on cross-cultural consultations through interpreters in primary healthcare in Sweden. Design. Two group interviews and three personal interviews with experienced GPs regarding clinical consultation through interpreters were carried out. The interviews were transcribed and analysed and the text was categorized according to content analysis. Setting. Primary healthcare. Subjects. Eight GPs were interviewed. Main outcome measures. The response and opinions of the GPs. Results. In the analysis it appeared that an optimal clinical encounter demands an active role by all participants involved in the consultation. The interpreter has to strive after being a stable neutral information bridge, and has a balancing role between the GP and the patient. The GP has to be open to cultural inequalities and recognize consultation through an interpreter as a part of her/his job. The patient needs to be an active and visible participant, not hiding behind the interpreter. Common obstacles and imperfections to reach the best possible triad were discussed. Additionally, practical assets in the encounter were delineated. Accurate physical placing of the persons in the room, adequate length of consultation time, and using the same interpreter from one visit to another were mentioned as factors influencing the outcome of the consultation. Conclusion. Barriers in cross-cultural communications could originate from all persons involved, the interpreter, the GP, and the patient, as well as from tangible factors. Ways to reduce misunderstandings in GP-patient encounters through interpreters are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective . To study interpreters’ experiences of problems in cross-cultural communication with special regard to the general practitioner (GP)–patient encounter. Design . A focus-group interview with authorized interpreters was carried out. A phenomenographic method was used in the analysis. Setting . Primary health care. Results . The interpreters displayed a number of problems mainly related to the difficulty in balancing the triad relation (GP–patient–interpreter), the role of the interpreter in relation to other healthcare staff, the time aspects of the translation procedure, and the problems of diverse health beliefs and cultural inequalities. Conclusion . The interpreters notice a set of difficulties that need to be highlighted in order to improve consultations with cross-cultural GP–patient encounters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]