Perception of clinical teacher’s midwives on the attention to migrant population. A view from the primary health care.

Abstract

Objective: to explore the perception of clinical teacher’s midwives of primary health care on the attention to migrant population in the context of teaching students of the obstetrics and childcare career of the University of Chile during their teaching and professional practice.

Methodology: exploratory qualitative study based on the descriptive phenomenological paradigm. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with midwifes from three CESFAMs in the southern macrozone of the Metropolitan region, Santiago. Prior to data collection, the interview was validated by 5 experts. Data were analyzed using the descriptive technique, defining 5 mainly aprioristic dimensions.

Results: results were grouped into five dimensions: culture, strengths, weaknesses, competencies and strategies. The interviewees agreed that the language barrier is the greatest weakness in the attention to migrants. It was also mentioned that the need for time for teaching attention in this situation is more accentuated, increased with the population that doesn’t speak Spanish.

Conclusions: The perception of clinical teacher’s midwives on the care provided to the migrant population focused on several dimensions. This care can be affected by cultural differences and language barrier; however, they recognize as a strength providing quality care, without distinguishing between Chileans and foreigners. They highlight the soft skills from students. It’s pointed out the need to have training in teaching, as well as more time. Due to migratory situation in Chile, it is important to continue studying this topic.