Perspectives of Quality Health Care Among Chinese Aging Immigrants From Mainland China

Barriers to accessing health care are often reported in research on the aging immigration populations. This study examined the perspectives of aging Chinese immigrants from Mainland China toward quality health care. The study took place in Calgary with a purposive sample of 8 aging Chinese immigrants 60 years and older from Mainland China. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted to explore the unique cultural perspectives of the aging Chinese immigrants toward quality of health care. Good quality and effective health care should be timely, trustworthy, understandable, safe, effective, accessible, person- centered, and culturally-sensitive. Perception of quality of health care is shaped by the senior’s perception toward the host country, previous health care culture and experience, and other’s health care experience. Language, cultural and traditional beliefs, previous health culture and practices, a lack of information and assistance may contribute to the aging immigrants’ systemic ineptitude and challenges in accessing health care services. The health care system needs to incorporate diverse cultural views and provide appropriate assistance for the aging immigrants in the delivery of health care.