Barriers and Facilitators to Self‐Management of Multimorbidity Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Immigrants: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

ABSTRACT

Aim

To explore the barriers and facilitators to self-management of multimorbidity of culturally and linguistically diverse immigrants, primarily Black individuals and people of colour (e.g., South Asian, Middle Eastern).

Design

A qualitative descriptive design was used.

Methods

This study was conducted in Newfoundland in Atlantic Canada. A purposive and snowball sample of 20 culturally and linguistically diverse immigrants was recruited, and semi-structured interviews were conducted during January to May 2023. Reflexive thematic analysis was used for data analysis.

Results

Barriers captured difficulty in navigating the healthcare system, financial precarity, language and accent differences, prior experiences of racism and their impact on care access, and lack of authentic consideration from health professionals. Facilitators to self-management included building resilience and the synergistic partnership of cultural and western self-care strategies.

Conclusion

Eradicating barriers to self-care for multimorbidity of culturally and linguistically diverse immigrants is essential to address disparities in self-care. Health professionals should work in partnership with culturally and linguistically diverse immigrants to develop more person-centred self-management support services and interventions.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

The findings are beneficial for addressing structural and cultural issues affecting self-management of culturally and linguistically diverse immigrants and designing targeted interventions to manage multimorbidity safely and effectively in this population.

Impact

Multimorbidity (i.e., two or more chronic conditions) disproportionately affects racialised individuals compared to the White population. Self-management is critical to improving the well-being and quality of life of individuals with multimorbidity. Little is known about the barriers and facilitators for CALD immigrants, mainly Black individuals and people of colour. Health professionals and organisations can use these findings for supporting these individuals' self-management at in the community and reducing the burden on the health care system.

Reporting Method

We used COREQ checklist for reporting.

Patient and Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.