What is it about?
The aim of this study was to understand health system navigation, including the role of technology, for young people belonging to one or more marginalised groups, in order to inform youth health policy. This qualitative longitudinal study involved 2–4 interviews each over 6 to 12 months with marginalised young people aged 12–24 years living in NSW. The analysis used Nvivo software and grounded theory. We interviewed 41 young people at baseline who were living in rural or remote areas, sexuality and/or gender diverse, refugee, homeless, and/or Aboriginal. A retention rate of over 85% was achieved. Nineteen belonged to more than one marginalised group allowing an exploration of intersectionality. Participants were ambivalent about their healthcare journeys. Qualitative analysis identified five themes: 1. Technology brings opportunities to understand, connect and engage with services 2. Healthcare journeys are shaped by decisions weighing up convenience, engagement, effectiveness and affordability. 3. Marginalised young people perceive and experience multiple forms of discrimination leading to forgone care. 4. Multiple marginalisation makes health system navigation more challenging 5. The impact of health system complexity and fragmentation may be mitigated by system knowledge and navigation support
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Why is it important?
Young people have unique social, emotional and developmental needs that require a welcoming and responsive health system, and policies that support their access to health care. Those who are socially or culturally marginalised may face additional challenges in navigating health care, contributing to health inequity.
Perspectives
Integrating technology and social media into processes that facilitate access and navigation, providing respectful and welcoming services that recognise diversity, improving health literacy and involving professionals in advocacy and navigation support may help to address these issues.
Dr Fiona Robards
University of Sydney
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Health care equity and access for marginalised young people: a longitudinal qualitative study exploring health system navigation in Australia, International Journal for Equity in Health, March 2019, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1186/s12939-019-0941-2.
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