Cross-cultural barriers and resources in the utilization and provision of inpatient mental health care for migrants in Germany

Funded by: Verein zur Förderung der Rehabilitationsforschung in Hamburg, Mecklenburg‐
Vorpommern und Schleswig‐Holstein (vffr) and Department of Occupational Health Research, German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the Health and Welfare Services

Timeframe: 36 months (2015/02-2018/02)

Keywords: inpatient mental health care, migrants, staff, healthcare, cultural competences

Website: www.ikoe-reha.de

Description

Even though migrants tend to have an increased need for psychological treatment, their utilization rates of inpatient mental health care services are lower than those of patients from native populations. Due to language barriers and cultural differences, providing health care to culturally and linguistically diverse patients presents a challenge for health care systems. This project illuminates this topic from different perspectives to gain a better understanding of cross-cultural barriers and resources in the utilization and provision of inpatient mental health care in Germany and to derive appropriate measures of treatment for diverse patients. It is composed of four parts:

(1) A scoping review on interventions improving cultural competences in healthcare.

(2) Qualitative interviews with culturally and linguistically diverse patients as well as health care workers about barriers and resources in providing care in inpatient mental health care settings.

(3) A quantitative assessment of psychosocial stress and resources of staff members in inpatient mental health services.

(4) Quantitative and qualitative assessment of cultural competences in inpatient mental health care services in Germany.

The project aims to collect comprehensive data about the dessimination of cultural competences in inpatient mental health care in the Northern Germany. By analyzing the current state, related problems and resources it will provide ideas for further developments and optimizations.

Team members