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Methods: A qualitative study of 23 Hispanic Migrant workers was approved by the Appalachian State University IRB to utilize BSN nursing students to conduct and transcribe interviews with Hispanic patients at a rural clinic within Appalachia. The interviews were incorporated into the BSN Research Class in order to provide hands-on experience in the methodology, while expanding student understanding of an ethnically different population. The rural clinic provided evening primary care appointments and open access for walk-in Hispanic migrant workers. All of the students conducting the semi-structured interviews were Caucasian. Spanish interpretors were used to translate the consent form and to facilitate communicate during each of the interviews. All students were educated about qualitative research designs and interview techniques prior to the interviews. All students were supervised by doctorately prepared School of Nursing faculty experienced with qualitative research methods during rotations to rural clinical site. Data was analyzed by three faculty members using DiCicco-Bloom and Crabtree’s technique as described in “Making sense of qualitative research” (2006).
Results: Several themes related to patient barriers to the American healthcare system, differences between Mexican and American healthcare practices, negative and positive aspects of American healthcare delivery, and ideas on meaning of health were identified. Common barriers included lack of transportaion, inability to get off work, language barriers with physicians, and lack of financial resources for prescriptions. In addition, student and faculty feedback provided additional insight into the value of this hand-on research project in expanding awareness of new cultural experiences. Even faculty who had lived in the local area for years were unaware of some of the challenges faced by the Hispanic migrant workers.
Conclusion: The population surrounding the Nursing School is predominately Caucasian, which provides a very limited opportunity for students to work with an ethnic diverse population. The interviews were an effective method to provide hands-on experience for the nursing students in qualitative methodology. Students feedback supported an increased level of confidence in understanding Hispanic workers and their healthcare disparities within a cultural context.