Christine Loignon1, Thomas Gottin1, Sophie Dupéré2, Christophe Bedos3. 1. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada. 2. Faculty of Nursing, Université Laval, Québec, Canada. 3. Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.
Abstract
Background: Social inequalities in healthcare systems persist worldwide. Physicians' prejudices and negative attitudes towards people living in poverty are one of the determinants of healthcare inequalities. We know very little about general practitioners' (GPs) perceptions of poverty, which shape their attitudes. Objective: To identify the perceptions of poverty of GPs who deal with it in everyday practice. Methods: A qualitative study based on interviews with GPs working in deprived urban neighbourhoods. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with physicians working in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Montreal, Canada. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis consisted of interview debriefing, transcript coding, and thematic analysis using an inductive and iterative approach. Results: Our study revealed two contrasting perceptions of poverty. The global conception of poverty referred to social determinants and was shared by the majority of physicians interviewed, while the moral conception, centring on individual responsibility, was shared by a minority of participants. Conclusion: The moral judgments and misunderstandings evidenced by GPs regarding poverty suggest avenues for improving general medical training. Understanding social determinants of health should be an important component of this training, to improve access to care for people living in poverty.
Background: Social inequalities in healthcare systems persist worldwide. Physicians' prejudices and negative attitudes towards people living in poverty are one of the determinants of healthcare inequalities. We know very little about general practitioners' (GPs) perceptions of poverty, which shape their attitudes. Objective: To identify the perceptions of poverty of GPs who deal with it in everyday practice. Methods: A qualitative study based on interviews with GPs working in deprived urban neighbourhoods. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with physicians working in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Montreal, Canada. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis consisted of interview debriefing, transcript coding, and thematic analysis using an inductive and iterative approach. Results: Our study revealed two contrasting perceptions of poverty. The global conception of poverty referred to social determinants and was shared by the majority of physicians interviewed, while the moral conception, centring on individual responsibility, was shared by a minority of participants. Conclusion: The moral judgments and misunderstandings evidenced by GPs regarding poverty suggest avenues for improving general medical training. Understanding social determinants of health should be an important component of this training, to improve access to care for people living in poverty.
Authors: Deanna L Williamson; Miriam J Stewart; Karen Hayward; Nicole Letourneau; Edward Makwarimba; Jeff Masuda; Kim Raine; Linda Reutter; Irving Rootman; Douglas Wilson Journal: Health Policy Date: 2005-06-22 Impact factor: 2.980
Authors: Christine Loignon; Jeannie L Haggerty; Martin Fortin; Christophe P Bedos; Dawn Allen; David Barbeau Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2010-03-25 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Christine Loignon; Sophie Dupéré; Martin Fortin; Vivian R Ramsden; Karoline Truchon Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2018-06-28 Impact factor: 2.655