Health care access for Somali refugees: Views of patients, doctors, nurses

Objective: To identify barriers to health care access perceived by a group of refugees from Somalia and by the doctors and nurses providing care for them. Methods: A survey of patients seen during a 7-month period at a, primary care clinic in Minneapolis, and estimates by clinic staff of patient responses to the survey. Results: patients reported fewer problems with transportation, payment, language, and being examined than their caregivers expected, Conclusion: Asking the opinion of their caregivers may not provide accurate information about problems experienced by refugees. Interviewing patients directly is more useful, although not without problems.