[The Current State of Intercultural Opening in Psychosocial Services--The Results of an Assessment in an Inner-City District of Berlin]

Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol. 2015 Sep;65(9-10):353-62. doi: 10.1055/s-0035-1549961. Epub 2015 Jun 3.
[Article in German]

Abstract

The need for intercultural opening of supply facilities for improving access and treatment of people with migration background is acknowledged in Germany. The purpose of the survey was to determine the current state of intercultural opening of psychosocial services in one Berlin district. 127 representatives of institutions were interviewed using a semi-structured assessment tool. The response rate was very high. The cross-cultural opening was implemented on a small scale. Staff as well as users with migration background were underrepresented. Varying and missing standardized documentation as well as problems in assessing users with migration background might be responsible for their low utilization rates. The use of professional interpreters was often not implemented. To judge the low level of implementation of cross-cultural opening in the psychosocial supply system in general, a review of responsible causes is required.

MeSH terms

  • Berlin
  • Culture*
  • Emigrants and Immigrants
  • Humans
  • Psychosocial Support Systems*
  • Social Work*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Workforce