Exploring the Experiences of Black Muslim Women in Alberta Emergency Departments: An Interpretive Description Study
Date
2024-12-04
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Abstract
Background: Black Muslim women have a unique set of religious and cultural beliefs that impact how they receive healthcare. A growing body of literature on health equity suggests that gaps in healthcare providers’ systemic, social, and cultural awareness of the unique needs of diverse patient populations can add to poor patient health outcomes. Aim: This research project aims to explore how race, faith, and gender impact Black Muslim women’s experiences receiving care in emergency departments (EDs) in Alberta. Methods: Six Albertan Black Muslim women who self-reported a personal ED visit within the last five years were interviewed, and data were analyzed using qualitative interpretive description methodology. Findings: Participants described patient-provider relations as strained due to communication challenges rooted in past experiences of racism and distrust in the healthcare system. Further, participants’ race, faith, and cultural needs in a healthcare setting fundamentally impacted their ED care experience. Lastly, participants highlighted that healthcare system challenges such as lack of access to family physicians across the province, long wait times, and rural barriers to care were exceedingly difficult to navigate when compounded with past experiences of discrimination. Discussion: This study provides insight for healthcare professionals on the experiences of Black Muslim women who present to the ED. Using the Population Health Promotion Model (Hamilton & Bhatti, 1996) as a framework, I located and analyzed the findings of this study in the context of the social systems and determinants of health that impact Black Muslim women. Discussing the findings from a health promotion perspective highlights the barriers and challenges Black Muslim women face. Further, it supports knowledge translation to practically inform clinical best practices and health promotion initiatives for this population.
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Black women, Muslim women, Women's health, Emergency medicine, Health equity, Social determinants of health, Black health, Nursing
Citation
Ali, A. (2024). Exploring the experiences of black Muslim women in Alberta emergency departments: an interpretive description study (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.