[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Bourgeault_Ivy.jpg” caption=”Ivy Bourgeault, associate professor in the departments of Sociology and Health, Aging & Society.”]An international study of immigrant health care professionals may hold the solution to Canada's health care crisis.

“People talk about Canada's aging population and express concern about the lack of health care providers for the elderly, but one of the problems is that we may have some difficulties recruiting and retaining people who are Canadian into this field,” says lead researcher Ivy Bourgeault, associate professor in the departments of Sociology and Health, Aging & Society, and Canada Research Chair in Comparative Health Labour Policy. “As a solution, some countries are looking towards migrant or immigrant workers to fill the demands for elder care.”

The collaborative research study between McMaster and universities in the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland aims to study the experiences of immigrant health care workers, their employers and elderly persons. These are neglected topics in both research and policy literature. The information provided by the study will help develop coordinated policies to meet health care needs and utilize the skills of immigrant workers more effectively.

“Some have raised issues regarding the quality of care received from immigrant workers,” says Bourgeault. “For example, for some immigrant groups, they have a higher respect for the elderly than in Canadian society, which may translate into better care. Conversely, some have raised concerns surrounding language barriers and comprehension among elderly clients. We need to make sure the quality of care and safety needs are being met.”

Meanwhile, the study is looking for participants to share their experiences and views on immigrating and working in Canada's long-term and home care sectors. Participants will answer mostly open-ended questions. The interview will take approximately 60 minutes and participants will receive a $25-honorarium for their time.

Employers are being encouraged to participate in either a 20-minute telephone interview or a 10-minute online questionnaire about their experiences employing immigrant care workers. The survey is available here.

For more information, please contact Judi Winkup at 905-525-9140, ext. 27414 or winkupj@mcmaster.ca.