Ethnic minority patients in healthcare from a Scandinavian welfare perspective: The case of Denmark.
Nurs Inq
; 29(1): e12457, 2022 01.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34463004
ABSTRACT
The Scandinavian welfare states are known for their universal access to healthcare; however, health inequalities affecting ethnic minority patients are prevalent. Ethnic minority patients' encounters with healthcare systems are often portrayed as part of a system that represents objectivity and neutrality. However, the Danish healthcare sector is a political apparatus that is affected by policies and conceptualisations. Health policies towards ethnic minorities are analysed using Bacchi's policy analysis, to show how implicit problem representations are translated from political and societal discourses into the Danish healthcare system. Our analysis shows that health policies are based on different ideas of who ethnic minority patients are and what kinds of challenges they entail. Two main issues are raised First, ethnic minorities are positioned as bearers of 'culture' and 'ethnicity'. These concepts of 'othering' become both explanations for and the cause of inappropriate healthcare behaviour. Second, the Scandinavian welfare states are known for their solidarity, collectivism, equality and tolerance, also grounded in a postracial, colour-blind and noncolonial past ideology that forms the societal self-image. Combined with the ethical and legal responsibility of healthcare professionals to treat all patients equally, our findings indicate little leeway for addressing the discrimination experienced by ethnic minority patients.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Etnicidad
/
Minorías Étnicas y Raciales
Aspecto:
Equity_inequality
/
Ethics
Límite:
Humans
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nurs Inq
Asunto de la revista:
ENFERMAGEM
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Dinamarca