Abstract

FERNANDEZ-CASTILLO, Antonio  and  VILCHEZ-LARA, María J. Professional opinion about hospitalising Latin-American immigrant children in Andalucía, Spain. Rev. salud pública [online]. 2009, vol.11, n.3, pp.336-346. ISSN 0124-0064.

Objective There has been an increase in paediatric hospital attention being provided for Latin-American immigrant patients in Spain during the recent years. This work was aimed at ascertaining professionals' opinion regarding this population's specific and differential needs concerning Latin-American immigrant children being hospitalised. Methods The study consisted of a qualitative, phenomenological type of investigation, based on semi-structured interviews of key informers in Andalusia (Spain). The subjects of the study were professionals from paediatric services in hospital centres in Andalusia. Results One of the most prominent (positive) results revealed that the Latin-American immigrant population presented less difficulties regarding hospital functioning when compared to other immigrant groups. Conclusions The psychological aspects which had most impact on paediatric hospitalisation would be emotional alterations, such as the presence of anxiety and stress, or other aspects, like a lack of trust when being hospitalised.

Keywords : Emigration and immigration; hospitalisation; health service needs.

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