Abstract

The rising number of immigrants in Western Europe has implications in many areas, including healthcare. This sub-population has difficulties in finding their way into the complexity of the healthcare system, especially when being diagnosed with a life threatening illness such as cancer. Although, there is an urgent need for insight and knowledge about these patients, most research excludes this population, because of the various difficulties it entails. This study intended to capture the meaning of having a life threatening illness in a migration country, and to study the expectations and experiences of non-western immigrant patients about the provided care in Belgium.