Patient Activation, Acculturation, and Doctor's Trust: Key Factors in Healthcare Satisfaction for Albanian Immigrants in Germany
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Background This research focuses on the Albanian community in Germany, a notable segment of the immigrant population. These immigrants, having relocated for diverse reasons, face opportunities and health-related challenges in their new milieu. It is essential to identify and address these challenges, which predominantly stem from cultural discrepancies, linguistic barriers, and insufficient patient activation to facilitate their integration. Methods A cross-sectional, quantitative approach was employed over four months, involving 106 participants. Data collection was executed via a structured questionnaire designed to collect information on the following variables: Patient Activation Measure (PAM), patient satisfaction, doctor’s trust, acculturation, cultural competency. Results The study reveals that Albanian immigrants frequently struggle with healthcare access in Germany. Significant factors influencing patient satisfaction include the perceived trustworthiness of healthcare providers, patient activation levels, cultural competence, and degree of acculturation. In contrast, economic factors such as personal financial resources did not significantly affect satisfaction outcomes. These insights are vital for healthcare providers and policymakers, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to bolster patient activation among Albanian immigrants. Conclusion The findings underscore the critical importance of enhancing patient activation and fostering a trust-based relationship between doctors and patients. Additionally, improving acculturation processes could significantly augment the healthcare experiences of immigrants. This study contributes to the broader discourse on immigrant health integration, offering evidence-based recommendations for policy and practice adjustments in Germany.