You do not understand, out of place: A thematic analysis of interviews with foreigners on their experiences with healthcare institutions in Poznań Cover Image

You do not understand, out of place: A thematic analysis of interviews with foreigners on their experiences with healthcare institutions in Poznań
You do not understand, out of place: A thematic analysis of interviews with foreigners on their experiences with healthcare institutions in Poznań

Author(s): Magdalena Zabielska
Subject(s): Sociology, Health and medicine and law, Family and social welfare, Welfare services
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: intercultural communication; healthcare; narrative interview; small story; theme

Summary/Abstract: This paper presents the preliminary results of the study of foreigners’ experiences with healthcare institutions in the Polish city of Poznań, as shared during 40 narrative interviews with addressed people with no or weak knowledge of Polish. The selected fragments were analysed qualitatively to determine the ways in which the participants discursively constructed their experience of regular check-ups and consultations as well as various (emergency) situations, when they sought medical advice or help but could not communicate (effectively). The analysis confirms the results obtained in the few similar studies conducted either in Poznań or in Poland in general, which point to a number of obstacles in accessing medical services on the part of these patients. The interviews feature accounts labelled as nightmares, massacres or traumas and include different themes. Discourse-wise, these are small stories, accompanied by emotional expressions in which they convey essness, frustration and of being out of place.

  • Issue Year: 37/2022
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 23-35
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: English