在日外国人が実感した日本の医療における異文化体験の様相

Aspects of Cross-cultural Experience Perceived by Foreigners Living in Japan When Using Its Healthcare Services

要旨

目的：日本の医療機関を受診した在日外国人の異文化体験の様相を明らかにする．

方法：在日外国人22名に受診行動をとおして実感した異文化体験についてグループインタビューを行った．

結果：対象者は【受診システムがわかりくい】【自分の病状や主張を正しく伝えるのが難しい】状況の中【医師は十分に対話してくれない】【壁をつくられて向き合ってもらえない】ことを経験し，【患者1人ひとりの文化的背景が注目されない】【拒否する権利を行使できない】と実感していた．また【決まり事の存在や根拠が理解できない】ことから【なじみのない『暗黙の了解』にとまどう】体験をしていた．【看護師の関わりは家族のようで安心できる】と思う一方【病気のことは看護師に頼れない】と認識していた．

結論：在日外国人は，言葉の壁，外見に基づく先入観の壁，異文化が理解されないことに直面していた．医療者は，外国人に対する文化的側面への注目の欠如を自覚する必要がある．

Objective: To clarify aspects of cross-cultural experience perceived by foreigners living in Japan when using its healthcare services.

Methods: Four focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 22 foreigners living in Japan.

Results: When using <Japan's medical service systems that are difficult to understand> with <difficulty in accurately expressing their own pathological conditions and needs>, foreign patients faced <insufficient communication with doctors> and <barriers to communication>, and realized that <individual patients' cultural backgrounds are not sufficiently considered>. They also found it <difficult to exercise their right to refuse>. As they could not understand <rules or their reasons> in Japan's systems, they adopted adaptive behaviors, such as <Bewilderment to tacit agreements>. While <developing a sense of security with nurses creating a family atmosphere>, they recognized that they could <not rely on nurses for the treatment of their diseases>.

Conclusion: The foreigners living in Japan faced barriers related to language, preconceptions due to differences in physical appearance, and insufficient understanding of different cultures, indicating that medical professionals should become aware of such a lack of attention to the cultural aspects of foreign patients.