Health Sciences Students: Witnesses of Discrimination in the Care of Foreign Patients in Chile

Abstract

Objective: This work sought to inquire on the perception of Health Sciences students about the health care provided to patients of foreign origin in clinical environments. Methods: Phenomenological approach with multiple case study design. Health Sciences students from three Chilean universities participated with intensity sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom after the consent was signed. Data analysis included open and axial coding axial with the aid of the ATLAS.ti 24 software. Results: The study had the participation of 106 students, who identified different types of discrimination, besides diverse exclusion manifestations that take place during the care process, such as: apathy, prejudice/stereotyping, derogatory comments, evading, underestimating, normalizing discrimination, infantilizing, and scoffing. Some of the participants normalized these behaviors due to the overload health system. Conclusion: The Health Sciences students witnessed several types of discrimination and exclusion manifestations occurring during the care process, highlighting apathy and evading as characteristic of the clinical environment, which could favor negative vicarious learning that perpetuates discriminatory conducts against foreign patients.