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Publication Date
2023
Document Type
Poster
Degree Type
Graduate
Department
Communication
Mentor
John Baldwin
Mentor Department
Communication
Abstract
African international students often face difficulties in adapting to a new healthcare system. Understanding their perceived barriers and perception of communication strategies that health professionals employ in utilizing campus healthcare services is crucial for implementing new approaches so that these communities of students can benefit from the available resources. In this paper, I interviewed 7 African international students attending a large Midwestern U.S. university who had visited the campus healthcare service, had first-hand positive and negative experiences, and could provide rich and well-detailed information. According to the findings, various barriers hinder African international students’ access to healthcare: knowledge regarding health insurance coverage, language barrier, and the high cost of healthcare. The study showed that African international students perceived communication strategies employed by health professionals as friendly and welcoming. Participants expressed that health professionals communicate with them on a personal level.
Recommended Citation
Amoakwa, Agnes, "BEING IN A FOREIGN LAND: AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES USED BY AND WITH HEALTH PROFESSIONALS" (2023). University Research Symposium. 429.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/rsp_urs/429