Table 3 Reasons given by women for reacting passively to unsatisfying healthcare
Sub-category | Sample quote |
|---|---|
Lacking the energy and expertise | “I know the importance of complaint mechanisms when things are not working well (…) but turning to the law takes a lot of time and energy that I don’t have. I don’t know the legal system here; one needs to be very acquainted with the way things work in the country to run this procedure… When you’re an immigrant, you’d rather give up and live with the situation” (IP8) |
Powerlessness and lack of courage | “I know that I have the right to speak up, because they [the health professionals] are getting paid for it, so I must receive the healthcare that I need. But I’m shy and don’t know how to speak up for myself. I don’t want to cause any troubles” (IP4) |
Distrusting the utility of complaints | “No, I haven’t thought about filing a complaint. How would that benefit me? Just complaining for the sake of complaining, this won’t change anything” (IP6) |