The experiences and perceptions of immigrant informal caregivers about engaging with professional services in the host country: A scoping review

AimThe inquiry explored immigrant informal caregivers' experiences and perceptions about engaging with professional services in the host country.BackgroundThe number of informal caregivers is rising, with more people providing home caring. Nurses and other health services are crucial in supporting informal caregivers. Research needs to focus more on immigrants, not just other caregivers.DesignThis was a scoping review.Data SourcesFive databases (January 2017-December 2022) were searched, and 16 articles were included in this inquiry.Review MethodsThis scoping review used the Joanna Briggs Institute Scoping Review methodology. This inquiry asked one question: What is the current knowledge about immigrant informal caregivers' experiences and perceptions when engaging mainstream professional services? Themes were identified using a thematic analysis approach.ResultsThree themes emerged from the review: 'finding cultural bridges: culturally connecting with services'; 'building cultural bridges: addressing "them and us" and "acculturation-sensitive services"'.ConclusionProfessional service providers are currently not meeting immigrant caregivers' needs. New knowledge is presented, that nurses and health professional services must provide acculturation-sensitive care, commencing with an assessment of the individual's acculturation status. By understanding acculturation status, nurses are more likely to customize person-centred care. Acculturation status refers to the degree that the individual has adapted to the new culture while retaining some traditional cultural beliefs and practices. Acculturation-sensitive care is more likely to provide authentic holistic care that optimizes well-being. What is already known about this topic?Nurses and other health services are crucial in engaging and supporting informal caregivers when providing person-centred care.The number of informal caregivers is rising due to ageing individuals, and more care was provided at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.What this paper adds?The cultural background of informal caregivers and their care recipients influences their service use in the new country, as does education and financial resources.Immigrant caregivers questioned the appropriateness of professional services to meet their cultural needs.Cultural needs can be met through acculturation-sensitive nursing; a new proposed approach that assesses the cultural status of individuals in order to determine appropriate culturally and religiously sensitive person-centred care.The implications of this paper:As yet, nurses and other health professional services are not providing acceptable, culturally and religiously sensitive care that meets the needs of immigrant informal caregivers; urgent education and professional development are required about acculturation-sensitive care.All professional services, particularly nurses, should assess acculturation status and be well placed to support caregivers, such as navigating health systems, while adapting to a new country and culture occurs.Professional services, particularly nurses, need to advocate for immigrant informal caregivers by connecting with ethnic groups to provide comprehensive education to enhance awareness of support needs for families with chronic conditions.