An intersectional analysis of diverse professional perspectives on collaborating with caregivers: Empirical Research - Qualitative

Aim: The provision of informal care occurs within larger care networks that involves collaboration with different professionals. This study aims to explore professionals’ perspectives on and experiences in collaboration with caregivers with a migration background in care networks around care recipients with acquired brain injury. Methodology An intersectionality informed qualitative design was used, between 2019 and 2021, with informal conversations (N = 12) and semi-structured interviews (N = 17), to gain insight in how professionals’ perspectives are framed and shaped by aspects of diversity, as well as situational and contextual factors. Two critical friends were involved in either the thematic or the secondary intersectionality informed analysis which was substantiated by a participatory analysis in a community of practice. Results We identified four interrelated themes: (a) “ The difficult Other ” in which professionals reflected on caregivers and care-recipients with a migration background causing ‘difficulties’; (b) “ The dependent Other ” refers to professionals’ realization that ‘difficulties’ are intensified by the context in which care takes place; (c) in “ The uncomfortable self” professionals describe how feelings of insecurities evoked by the Other are associated with an inability to act ‘professionally’, and; (d) “ The reflexive self” shows how some professionals reflect on their own identities and identify their blind spots in collaboration within a care network. Conclusion These interrelated themes offer an explanation of evidenced health inequalities in diverse networks and a pathway to unsettle the Self-Other binary. We conclude there is a need for educational curricula and professionals to invest in the integration of such reflexive practices to ensure health equalities for all. Impact The integration of reflexive practices in healthcare curricula is needed as diversity responsive care requires a critical investigation of oneself as professional. Public Contribution Caregivers, patients with acquired brain injury and different healthcare professionals were involved in the study design and interpretation of the data.