Promoting health in involuntarily migrated families in cultural transition from the perspective of interpreters working within Primary Health Care

Background: Refugee families face a complex transition due to involuntary migration exposing them to vulnerability in cohesion and family function. Since migrant health care is mainly managed by the Primary Health Care sector, interpreters play a critical role in bridging the gap amongst these families and the Primary Health Care system. Aim: To explore and describe interpreters’ experiences of promoting health in involuntarily migrated families in cultural transition living in Sweden. Method: Ten interpreters from five ethnic groups were interviewed and contextual analysis was used in analysing the data. Result: Promoting health in refugee families was conceived as improving family members psychological wellness despite past experiences by promoting a future, promoting consideration of one’s worth and promoting stability of the family unit. Social interactions within the host country, recognition and appreciation of the families’ cultural values and beliefs as well as competence and proper and elucidative information regarding the functioning of the host country was considered necessary in the promotion of health of these families. Conclusion:  Promoting health in involuntarily migrated families will have to facilitate a healthy transition. Primary Health Care Nurses can do this by proper cooperation with community and ethnic organisations and by adopting a family system perspective in communicating the family’s transition experiences in a sensitive manner.