Potential Barriers Limiting Myanmar Migrant Workers from Using Healthcare Services in South Korea: A Qualitative Study from the Primary Care Perspective
Soo Jung Choi1, Dong Wook Shin2,3,4,5,*, Hyun Jung Park3, You Seon Nam3,5, Jun Suk Kim3,5, Jung-Hyun Shin2, Choong Hyung Lee6, BeLong Cho2,3,4
1Department of Family Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon; 2Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine; 3Department of Family Medicine and Health Promotion Center, Seoul National University Hospital; 4Laboratory of Health Promotion and Health Behavior, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital; 5JW Lee Center for Global Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine; 6E-Land Clinic, Seoul, Korea
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Abstract
Background: An influx of migrant workers from neighboring countries poses several challenges to South Korea’s primary healthcare system. In this qualitative study, we addressed the healthcare behavior and key barriers that Myanmar migrant workers face when utilizing healthcare from a primary care perspective. We aimed to increase public awareness and suggest effective strategies to improve the healthcare of this population that is understudied in South Korea. Methods: Thirteen documented migrant workers and five activists from Myanmar were invited to participate in semi-structured focus-group interviews that were facilitated by two interpreters. Results: Potential barriers existed across all five levels of the core characteristics of primary care: (1) language barriers and time constraints (access); (2) little education about chronic diseases and their complications (continuity); (3) lack of knowledge about utilizing Korean health services (coordination); (4) traditional health beliefs and attitudes, improper perceptions of health risks, and unhealthy practices, such as smoking and binge drinking (community orientation); and (5) a deficient health system lacking surveillance systems for booster vaccinations, ineffective explanation of routine screening results, and a lack of tools for providing health information and guidance (comprehensiveness). Conclusion: This study identified potential barriers that limit Myanmar migrant workers from obtaining adequate healthcare in South Korea, as related to the characteristics of primary healthcare. A call for effective strategies and resource allocation to address the healthcare needs of this population is required.
Keywords: Myanmar Migrant Workers; Potential Barriers; Health Service Use
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