Jennie C. De Gagné|Jina Oh|Aeyoung So|Suk?Sun Kim
The healthcare experiences of Koreans living in North Carolina: a mixed methods study
Duke University|Inje University|Gangneung–Wonju National University|Ewha Womans University
study examined healthcare experiences korean immigrants aged 4064 living north carolina triangle area southeastern united states using mixed methods design collected quantitative data via questionnaire 125 participants conducted focus group 10 interviewees december 2010 february 2011 quantitative data analysed using ttests chisquare tests thematic analysis used focus group study questionnaire findings showed 272 sufficient english skills communicate adequately participants insurance significantly likely employed p 0001 higher incomes p 0011 higher education p 0001 greater englishspeaking ability p 0011 without insurance participants use healthcare services showed significantly less knowledge p 0001 less satisfaction p 0034 healthcare system using healthcare services sixtytwo participants 496 reported health insurance one following reasons high costs 758 medical tourism 226 lack information knowledge 65 following themes emerged data collected focus group barriers utilisation healthcare services ii facilitators utilisation healthcare services iii social support seeking health management mixed methods study findings indicate healthcare disparities exist among korean immigrants number factors including health literacy may contribute poor health outcomes continued collaboration among community members healthcare professionals academicians needed discuss communitys health concerns develop sustainable programmes ensure meaningful access care limited english proficiency medically underserved populations