Mixed and misunderstandings: An exploration of the meaning of racism with maternal, child, and family health nurses in South Australia

Aims The aim of this study was to explore child and family health nurses’ (CaFHNs) understanding of racism. Background Despite a growing literature examining racism in health care, few studies have explored health professionals’ understanding of racism and how they manage it in practice. Design A qualitative descriptive design was employed. Methods Five focus group discussions were held from January–June 2013 with 31 maternal, CaFHNs working across metropolitan South Australia. Data were analysed using thematic analysis with discourse analytic techniques. Findings Focus group discussions identified three major themes: the relationship between racism and children's health care; perception of racist health system structures that have an impact on choice and relationship building; and the need for professionals to manage the tensions arising in everyday healthcare practice. Conclusions Limited understandings of individual, structural, and ideological racism and racist practice were found. These were underpinned by discourses of multiculturalism and individualism within a framework of democratic racism. There is urgent need for nursing practice and pedagogy to centralize race and racialization to address inequities in health care. 目的 本研究旨在探讨儿童和家庭健康护理人员(CaFHNs)对种族主义的理解。 背景 尽管越来越多的文献研究了医疗保健中的种族主义,但很少有研究探讨了健康专业人士对种族主义的理解以及他们如何将其付诸实践。 设计 采用定性描述性设计。 方法 2013年1月至6月举行了五次专题小组讨论,共有31名在南澳大利亚大都市工作的妇幼保健儿童和家庭健康护理人员参与。 使用主题分析和语篇分析技术分析数据。 调查结果 专题小组讨论确定了三个主题:种族主义与儿童保健之间的关系;对会影响选择和关系建立的种族主义保健体系结构的认知;以及专业人员需要管理日常医疗保健实践中出现的紧张情况。 结论 对个人、结构和意识形态种族主义和种族主义行为的理解有限。这些都是以民主种族主义框架内多元文化主义和个人主义的语篇为基础。迫切需要护理实践和教学使种族和种族化集中起来,以解决医疗保健中的不平等现象。